TIC TAC TOE

a game within the game occurs

in battles 'tween the sexes

when on a love note there's displayed

a row of Os and Xs
.

a hug, a kiss, a show of love

but not one, too demanding

just rows of little letters

in suggestion, not commanding
.

and even if one spells out "love"

not Xs by the dozens

you'd write that down at letter's end

to uncles, aunts and cousins
.

and even "love you", let's confess

just sounds a little chummy

one thinks that if they added " I "

they'd sound just like a dummy
.

and even with " i love you", spelled

which surely is more focal

you must admit, it clearly pales

when such a vow is vocal
.

a spoken "i love you"

means more to you, when you have seen it

but some will say those little words

when maybe they don't mean it
.

and when a person's insincere

that sentence merely vexes

it makes it so much easier

to just make Os and Xs