FREE SPIRIT SPEAKS 
You knew this about me before we first met
True, I’m your companion, but nobody’s pet
No leash will I wear, nor “She Is Mine” collar
So what, when I wander, gives you right to holler?
Can’t Alpha Male Tantrum me into submission
Rant all you want to, but it’s my tradition
A part of my birthright – we’re radical women
His water is warmer… and I’m goin’ swimmin’
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For dverse Form For All: Framed Couplets (first and last words must rhyme in each couplet!)
Also at my poetic hearth and home, Poets United.
Photo courtesy of Superstock.com, providing free images (for the time being!).
Sharp Little Pencil 
hypercryptical
I’d go swimmin’ too!
Anna :o]
Sharp Little Pencil
Come on in, the water’s fine! Heh heh… Amy
Laurie Kolp
Amen! I really like: Can’t Alpha Male Tantrum me into submission
Sharp Little Pencil
This is a slice of me from Amy: The Lost Years. I was a wild child, really… thanks, Laurie! Amy
Victoria C. Slotto
Amy, great job with the form and I applaud the premise. Yes!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Victoria. You know forms are not my cup of tea, and I probably mangled the rules, but I don’t care. It was fun! Amy
brian miller
smiles….really nicely done to form but also in message…def not looking to wear any chains myself and def should not be treating anyone else to them as well…esp not a lady…smiles.
Sharp Little Pencil
Brian, thanks so much. I think I probably didn’t do the form right, but the poem was so satisfying, especially finding that perfect image. This poem is Amy in her 20s, rebel, rebel!! (wink) Amy
charlesmashburn
Good one, Amy. Great poem and excellent use of the form!
Sharp Little Pencil
Charles, thanks so much. I’m not a “form” person, so this was a challenge! Amy
Gay
Well to begin with I straight up love the poem, and applaud it’s spirit.
Now on to the doldrums of discussing the form – (sigh).
For a start – all end rhymes work
Second – all beginning rhymes (should be syllables only) work except the last couplet when it didn’t. (a part/ his water)..think first SYLLABLES-> a/his…and you see
Third – line length – I see what you’ve done (and it’s pretty clever) you’ve added iambic pent to the initial stressed syllable..and actually it’s only four feet not five. So it’s nine syllables beginning AND ending on a stressed syllable.
So that’s pretty much it. But as I write on every blog – THIS and EVERY poem is yours to write as you choose. When you know the form, you are a free writer who can accept or reject whatever part of it you want in order to make the poem your own. So brava on a great little poem!
Sharp Little Pencil
Gay, I am SO BUSTED! You don’t know this, probably, but I never do forms; well, hardly ever. I had so damned much fun writing this that I dropped a few stitches along the way. Thanks for the critique, I really mean it. If I am to grow as a poet, I need to hear the ins and outs of form. Thanks for noticing I tried iambic pentameter, because that was a proud moment for me! Peace, Amy
Roger Green
a woman who knows her own heart; not that I didn’t already know that about you!
Sharp Little Pencil
And bless YOUR heart, Roger. I appreciate that. This was me in the old days, before I found out what love really is, starting with friendship… Amy
purplepeninportland
A woman after my own heart!
Sharp Little Pencil
Sisters. “We are family…” Love it, PIP! Amy
Lafemmeroar
Kudos! I love it. Especially this line:
Can’t Alpha Male Tantrum me into submission
Sharp Little Pencil
That line is especially for an old boyfriend whom I fondly refer to as Vinny Scumbaggio. Ha ha ha Amy
tashtoo
Personally, if there was ever a five star poem written in form with a message I can relate to…then you’ve brought it! Fantastic play with the double rhyme as well (Took me more than one try! WOW!) Looking forward to reading more!!!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Tashtoo. Have to admit, I had it coming when Gay corrected my form, but I still love this one. Speaks so much to how things were, and are, and may be… so glad you connected with it! Amy
hedgewitch
You made me smile all over my face with this one. Love the last couplet, and couldn’t agree with you more.
Sharp Little Pencil
HW, it’s funny, so many of us are ready to dive in! This was a look back, and I regret nothing. (VERY Edith Piaf, no?) Peace, Amy
booguloo
That would surely make some a little anguished or wondering where you’ve been all their lives. (or maybe both… smiles…)
Sharp Little Pencil
Michael, I’m laughing! Important thing: I know where I am now, and with whom, and that’s a damned good situation! Thanks, honey. Amy
Semaphore / Samuel Peralta
Nice turn on the framed couplet form, and definitely a strong independent state,ent you’re making here.
Sharp Little Pencil
Sam, thanks. It’s great having so many POVs here… I really enjoyed the attempt at couplets, and this allowed me a look back at past yucky boyfriends, so it’s all good! Amy