When I Die He Said
Sandra Yuen
bring me flowers
bury me underground in velvet
cast me into the sea
to be with my dad
don’t forget me
you son of a gun
you will be fine, he said
who will lead my orchestra
who will plant the seed
who will tend my garden
bring me a broken stem
so I can feel better
about the plight of justice or injustice
who will fill my head
suckle me
kiss my furrowed brow
clean my engine
eat my burnt bacon
laugh at my silly jokes
and when I crinkle my nose
I will bring you flowers
bury you in the velvet underground
play your favourite music
tend your garden
take care of your feral cat
whisper the Tao
and dream of the oasis
where we lived in a jungle
of misfits among giants
ready to fall into the ocean of angels
Creators
Sandra Yuen
Sandra Yuen is an artist, writer, and speaker on recovery. She developed a form of schizophrenia at age 14, but struggled to earn a Fine Arts Diploma from Langara College and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia in art history. She's published three books and numerous articles under the pseudonym Sandra Yuen MacKay. She is also the recipient of the Courage to Come Back Award and the Diamond Jubilee Medal. Currently she has become a drummer and paints in oils and acrylics. Madness fuels her desire to create. Through art and writing and music she finds herself. www.syuenartist.com