JAPONICA

The last flowers my father and I saw together were on the camellia bush by the bench in his yard where we sat and had a beer in November before he took his December leave. The plant sent blooms to the ICU and then to the cemetery, and now I have three with me for rooting. Plants are carriers of life and history. I hope these will thrive, and I welcome advice. Camellias, japonicas, maybe they're the same.