Many breathlessly utter it
Others fervently swear by it
But who can say truly
‘I love you’?

‘I love you’.
Three toughest words to utter
But why?

I will tell you
See if you can pass this test.

I love you
Not my shell
Not my riotous passions
But my abiding self

I love you
Not cling leechlike
Not exploit and smother
Not use you

I love you
Not your wrapping
Not my pet fantasies
But your core self

Now dare you say
Those three words glibly?