Gardenia

A series of poems inspired by the fictional disease Hanahaki. Hanahaki Disease is a fictional disease that starts with an unrequited love. If the love is strong enough, but still unrequited, a flower takes root in the lungs. As it grows, the victim starts coughing up petals, eventually progressing to full blooms and blood. The disease is fatal. The only cures are either to have the love returned before it's too late, or to remove the bloom through surgery, effectively killing off not only the flower but also any romantic feelings for whomever the victim had loved.

The cover art is not mine. If you happen to recognize it and know the original artist, please let me know so I can give credit.