Poems with Alliteration

Alliteration gives poetry its music. The repetition of initial consonant sounds — 'the silken, sad, uncertain rustling' — creates a sonic texture that enhances meaning. Hard consonants like 'b,' 'd,' and 'k' can convey force or urgency; soft sounds like 's,' 'l,' and 'f' create gentleness or fluidity. Poets use alliteration not just for beauty but for emphasis, drawing the reader's attention to key words and binding ideas together through sound. When used skillfully, alliteration feels natural — a subtle undercurrent that makes the language sing without calling attention to itself.