Your warm circle of breath against my knee,
Right elbow sore, rope burns on my hand,
Give notice that my daughter's back in college,
And once again you're under my command.

With her you're always on your best behavior.
That doesn't mean you're good,
But you take care.
You two grew up together in these fields,
Learned freedom--
When to take and how to share.

So here you are, led as I ride my own horse.
You pull away to reexert your will.
You're so alike, my daughter and her pony--
Tied to my life, yet straining to be free.
You pull again, and I renew my pressure,
To keep you and her childhood here with me.