Three words
The three undeniable words
The very essence of my pain
Cut to the core of my soul

One moment
Alone with you
The three words once came so freely to my lips
Now they yearn to be spoken

That one moment
The words could not be restrained
Emotions, long held back, burst forth from my broken heart
And with tears streaming down my face
Three words were said in reply

Three horribly sweet words
Once bringing great happiness to me
Now only a confusing array of emotions
Tangled into a puzzle too great to solve
Only three words of that mess are clear
"I love you."