TRANSFUSION

"O Negative" and generous, to a fault
my body does not waste its protein stores
fashioning barbed antigens, to coat
the surface membranes of my red blood cells.
What I can give of, all may freely take,
it cannot hurt you - only help you heal.
I am, in truth, the Universal Donor.
My blood is therefore always in demand.

When I'm in need, it's then I must beware.
If I am matched amiss, the consequence
would be disaster.  If I then received
from most of you, your blood would scorch my veins.
Your foreign cells are poison, bearing thorns
to scourge and scarify me from within;
burnish all my vessels, halt my breath.
So vulnerable is the generous Type.

And so for me, it's prudent to take care.
More blessed it is to give than to receive.