by Bryan Thao Worra

A friend warned me the other day
Not to write about the zelkova
 
Or I might come back as one
And find myself cut into furniture
 
Just as things start to get interesting.
 
The other day the zelkova warned me
Not to worry about my friends
 
Or I might stay human
 
And find myself cutting furniture
Just as things start to get interesting.

Editors' note: Read "A cup of fine tea: Bryan Thao Worra's "Zelkova Tree"" here.