I. L. Y.

A gift for you these three small words I offer,

not looking for an answer

nor for you to proffer

anything,

not comment, good or bad, 

nor look, nor touch,

or even to acknowledge 

that you heard.

Freely said with no conditions, strings attached or 

expectation of 

reciprocation 

for I am allowed to give
of anything I wish 

and do not look 

for a return.

No childishness or hidden meaning holds,

for I am grown up now, and 

someone old as I

knows well 

they cannot keep these words for use,

no benefit accrues to me 

in owning them.

No disappointment, sulks or tears will follow, for

I do not speak to hear,

only just 

to let them go,

like little birds, whose fate 

is out of my control

when they fly free,

to let you know,

three

        little

words