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Graphic by Eve Hamel-Smith/TheGazelle

Artist: Julia Zhao Xu

Julia Zhao Xu's work was selected to be published as part of an ongoing initiative, run by The Gazelle's Creative Desk, to create a space for student ...

Mar 14, 2015

Graphic by Eve Hamel-Smith/TheGazelle
Julia Zhao Xu's work was selected to be published as part of an ongoing initiative, run by The Gazelle's Creative Desk, to create a space for student artwork. If you'd like to learn more about this week's artist, check out the podcast interview, which was conducted, produced and edited by creative editor Laura Waltje.
[powerpress channel="creative"]
 
When I Die, Plant Me Under a Tree
by Julia Xu
 
When I die, plant me under a tree.
The earthworms wriggle through my ribs.
The decaying cells stiffen to wax.
 
When I die, plant me under a tree.
Fertilize new life.
Grow new branches.
 
When I die, plant me under a tree.
I live in a box erected by my mind all my life.
I want none in death.
 
When I die, plant me under a tree.
That returns oxygen to the world
For all the carbon dioxide I have breathed.
 
When I die, plant me under a tree.
The atoms that once were me
Can be free, whistling in the wind.
 
The Creative Desk publishes one work per week selected by a rotating panel. We are looking for prose, poetry, photography, film, visual arts, music and more. Send your creative work to ljw296@nyu.edu. Submissions accepted on a rolling basis.
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