Skeleton Costumes

by Thomas Moore

Comprised of 151, 3-line poems, "Skeleton Costumes", the new book by Thomas Moore, sees the writer's work stripped down to its most raw and effecting form yet. Skinned of any extraneous flesh, the simplicity of the pieces bely their emotional impact and visceral depth. The short stabs and sharp explosions of verse accumulate to create an unconventional and, at times, harrowing narrative. "Skeleton Costumes" investigates fear, lust and an abandonment of moral codes with a terrifying force.

AVAILABLE AUGUST 1st 2014

Genres: Poetry, Queer

160 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2014

About the author

Thomas Moore's writing has appeared in various publications in Europe and America. His novella, GRAVES (2011), and his book of poems, The Night Is An Empire(2013), were both published by Kiddiepunk. His first novel, A Certain Kind of Light(2013), was published by Rebel Satori Press. His book of poems, Skeleton Costumes, was published by Kiddiepunk in 2014 and again as an expanded second edition in 2015. His second novel, In Their Arms, was published by Rebel Satori in October 2016. A collection of poems, When People Die, was published in 2018 by Kiddiepunk. Also in 2018, Moore collaborated with visual artist Steven Purtill on their book Small Talk at the Clinic, published by Amphetamine Sulphate. Thomas Moore's third novel,Alone, was released in June 2020. His fourth novel, Forever, was published by Amphetamine Sulphate in October 2021. His new novel, Your Dreams, was published in 2023 by Amphetamine Sulphate.

Reviews

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the poetry books by Thomas Moore I've read, this one is probably my favorite. Reading like a collection of haikus stitched together with blood, hooks and black holes for the delectation of preadolescent demon boys (or the lost tracklisting of the greatest Black Metal album never released), many of the lines here exude a sense of mystery and conjure up in my mind vivid and atmospheric images of the Void: "Blank webcam nightmares," "Dead architecture," "Suicide forest," "Cold Pornography," "Empty Message boards," "A rumbling death drone," and so on. Read in one sitting, it simulates the sensation of analyzing 150 miniature word-paintings pinned like butterflies to the quivering walls of an atrocity exhibition. The ones on pages 80-81 in particular I liked. The artwork is great as well. To sum up: a triumph of words and design!

[Aaron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even for a collection of poetry dealing with violent sex, snuff films, and suicide this is pretty edgy. I mean these poems are edgier than the haiku I posted on DeviantArt in 2008, and that's saying something. Have a sample (of Moore's, not mine. Actually let's forget I mentioned DeviantArt altogether, okay?): "You cum on my gut / I never want you to leave / Love me forever," "Torture images / can't tell if they're real or posed / his new obsession," "OK I hear you / Apology accepted / Now let's kill ourselves." So yeah.