Tony Bell
The Costume
This piece was written as part of the ‘Writing in the Museum’ course and was inspired by the Costume Gallery. Knees buckling, I lift the sheet: pink nails, pale feet, unstockinged legs entwined. The hinge of your elbow leads to an ungloved hand still clasping a broken dream. Your belly buttons an empty womb, your ribs peek like stays through an unlaced corset. Stitches knit the wound together, they couldn’t hold the life-force in. Your mouth lies unzipped, but no kiss comes, no breath stirs the naked flame. Your hair unbound, face unmasked, you have stepped from your costume. If …Read more