You lean forward, your hand on his neck and in his hair
you take a deep breath, the sharp fragrance of sweat is in the air,
you hear your heart beating it’s cadence in your ear
“let’s go” you say, words he has longed to hear
you feel his muscles ripple beneath you at the sound of go
he starts slowly but he’s eager to please you so
his pace grows faster, your two bodies move as one
and he knows this is your first time as soon as he’s begun
he tries to take it easy, you’re a young rider he can tell
and it’s the first time you’ve been on the back of “Rebel Yell”
at the top of the key now, it’s time to turn and burn
he knows he must be careful, still to please he does yearn
faster and faster your experience he’s for the time forgot
he reigns himself in, but knows he’s already broken trot
you’ve turned in the best time, the first time you’ve run this race
but the rules were broken so you must receive a second place
the race is over, you slide off to the ground
he turns to make sure you are safe and sound
as happens so often, a new love has begun
between a horse named “Rebel” and my little one.

For Liz, my little one