Category: Gems

I wander from room to room, following the clean man-smell of his aftershave. It’s strongest in the bathroom we shared, so I crouch in the corner, calling his name. Some nights I even sleep on the bathroom floor, afraid to lose his scent. When that’s finally gone, what will become of me? Friends and family […]

“Hi, I’m Candy.” She offers her hand, ducking an olive branch on Abbott’s front lawn. Abbott swats invisible flies, ignoring her spindly craw. “No need to make a statement.” She explains it’s her name, then the newly acquainted next-door neighbours exchange pleasantries, moving quickly to gardening chatter. Candy confesses her allergy to scented plants and […]

One of my first memories was of amazement, a truly magical moment. Gold threads spun from the rays of the Sun, a net of colour woven into a shawl with nature’s stitches that made the dress for the flower we call – ‘Camellia’. Rosemary, why are you wearing my sunglasses?It’s my Camellia flowers they’re so […]

Sleep eludes me, and I open the window to the cool air. Refreshing, but before long I cover my mouth to suppress the next fit of coughing. The small stain against the white handkerchief, as red as the flowers that I wear each month, is just visible in the pale moonlight. I am well known […]

I can’t remember the time I wasn’t able to hear the flowers and insects talk, but I do remember the first time my parents took me to see the family doctor.  I recall him peering over his glasses, muttering, this is very unusual, children tend to just have imaginary friends, but I don’t think you […]

If only I hadn’t mentioned the Festival, though it was inevitable she’d hear about it with the whole of Semmes buzzing about which High school girls would be this year’s Camellia Maids. Shona-Lee had recently moved to Alabama, so inviting her round for a chat one evening over coffee and cookies seemed like a good […]

She gently rocks the cradle, remembering all her favorite lullabies. “Hush-a-bye, don’t you cry, go to sleepy little baby,” she sings softly, as she tenderly adjusts the soft, pale green coverlet. “When you wake, you shall have all the pretty little horses.” The tiny hand-carved animals in the mobile above the cradle slowly dance with […]

Hades watched, slump-shouldered, as Persephone ascended from the Underworld. He had to endure another interminable six months without his wife; more than his tortured soul could bear. He paused at the gate to greet Cerberus. “I know you’ll you’ll miss her too, old boy,” Hades stroked the three-headed dog, wondering, “Why is it she sometimes […]

The walled garden is filled with enormous camellia trees, whose white, red and pink flowers generously extend their symbolic message of love and affection. Almost blending in with the abundant foliage, an old man, Armand Germont, is patiently tending the plants, although the crisp autumn chill is biting his fingers. With 48 years of persistent, […]

Danny arranges the teapot and cups, tries to smooth his unruly hair. She’ll be here soon, and his life hangs in the balance. He’s a sailboat without a breeze; she is his tailwind. He peeks at his watch, frowns. Five till four. She’s going to be late. His frown deepens. She’s not coming – not […]

Our years here had been dark and dismal, but great grandpa’s caution had ultimately saved our lives. I could barely remember the world before the end. I’d only been eight when they told us about the asteroid. They’d tried to divert it, but failed. A large part would still plummet to Earth. We’d mere hours […]