I've always been confused by bleeding hearts. I mean, aren't all hearts bleeding? It's the hearts job to bleed. Not just freely, or even flowing out in droves— but forcing the blood from itself, shoving away the thing it needs most for survival because other parts of the body need it too. And the amazing thing is, it doesn't even think about it. It is the picture of reflexive giving, of self sacrifice. But if you think about it, the heart must sacrifice this way, for to not would be fatal. The blood that gives it life would never reach the lungs where it is enriched with its life-sustaining oxygen supply. Without this incredible pouring out of the heart, it would unwittingly poison itself. The hoarded blood would soon turn toxic with unsupported, selfish use. The heart would die; and all because it refused to bleed.