David Shaw

Cardboard Coffins and Gold

The coffin was made of cardboard that he stole from a recycling bin behind the food warehouse, still stained from the GM foods it once held. It pained his soul to see his wife of thirty years lying in it waiting to be pulled through the black curtains at the crematorium.  He had dressed her in her favourite black dress and shoes, she looked beautiful.  He was glad he had traded some ofon the proper preparations.The coffin was made of cardboard that he stole from a recycling bin behind the food warehouse, still stained from the food rations once held. It pained his soul to see his wife of thirty years lying in it waiting to be pulled through the black curtains into the church crematorium.  He had dressed her in her favourite black dress and shoes.  He wished he'd had something to trade to for a wooden coffin, but it wasn't to be. He kissed her head, she looked beautiful even in death then walked to his position at the front of the church.