ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT ~ 1786 HUNTERIAN MUSEUM, LONDON
- May 22
- 1 min read
By Clare Marsh
the Waddington quins
died on delivery ~
their shared placenta
burned by local custom
their miniature bodies
sent to Dr Hunter
as medical specimens
pallid flaccid ghostly
water-babies hang in a tank
suspended in solution
their skin ridged like hands
left too long in bath water
liquor-steeped foetuses
sightless eyes mere hooded slits
ribs protruding wraith limbs dangle
a chorus
of stringless
marionettes
wailing mouths gape
in soundless distress
waiting in vain to hear
their long-dead mother’s heartbeat