The carpenter made them both

Out of a fine piece of oak 

That came from an ancient tree at long

Last felled by gale-force winds

Stirred up at the poles by

Rising temperatures elevated by

Human greed. 

So, in one sense, they

Were both redeemed out of death.

The stately oak volunteered to be

Sacrificed for this cause.

Two fine pieces of artisanship planed and

Chiseled, carved and sanded

Both designed for one adult size human body

Both of wood; both made in the same shop by

The same craftsperson with the same tools.

Both stained in natural oak; both notched and

Pegged rather than nailed or screwed.

Both from the same source.

A door and a coffin.

A door hung at the entrance to the parish manse

Opening its whole self to welcome

Dignitaries and hobos alike

To a blazing hearth where warm stew and

Hot ale whisper gospels.

A coffin draped in cloth in the

Kirk storeroom waiting to 

Open its whole being to welcome 

Dignitaries and hobos alike

To the blazing throne where bread is

Blessed, broken, and given, and 

Cherubim choruses ascend.