[CentOS] Sending Email Via Telnet

Hi;
I tried this:
[root at mydomain ccc]# telnet 127.0.0.1 25
Trying 127.0.0.1...
Connected to 127.0.0.1.
Escape character is '^]'.
EHLO
MAIL FROM: me at gmail.com
RCPT TO: me at gmail.com
DATA
testing from server
.
^]
but I never get back to a command prompt. Please advise.
TIA,
John