Décimas are sets of two redondillas
linked by a two-line bridge of eight syllables each
with a rhyme pattern
a b b a a c a c c a,
and espinelas are the same
only ending with
c d d c.
Seguidillas have alternating lines of five
and seven syllables, with vowel rhymes
anywhere in the even lines (2, 4, 6), instead of
always appearing at the ends,
perfectly aligned . . .
so I start to experiment with changing everything
and just letting verses flow, finding their way
into musical rhythms that dance on natural air
tempest-tossed,
wind-driven!
Why obey such strict rhyming rules
when poems have minds, hearts, and souls
of their own, always loving
freedom?