Chemotherapy ravaged Camellia while treatment
eradicated her quick growth
cancer cells, toxic
drugs mixed and
attacked
hair
roots;
she dropped strands of crimson locks to the ground like flower
petals falling from her namesake's
blossoms, threw tarot
cards, assumed
gypsy
garb
wore
scarves though follicles curled underneath her paisley cloth;
diviner's personae intact,
she accepted all
misfortune
reborn
as
a
healer and storyteller; Camellia opened a
candle shop dancing, singing with
patrons, pashmina
shawl wrapped, gold
earring
hoops
swayed.
