André BRETON marvels at the literature of Xavier FORNERET.

André Breton (1896.1966)

Autograph manuscript – Forneret. Nothing (for the benefit of the poor)

A half-page quarto on brown paper

Slnd.

« I poured blood into a skull, carved a hand bone to write on, wiped that bone in dead hair. »

André Breton copied an extract from Xavier Forneret's famous collection published at his own expense in 1836, Rien , and concluded his note with an awestruck remark: " Poetically admirable, " testifying to the interest shown in the Black Man by the surrealist group.

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Byron and Young converse on a stormy night.

"Well, Byron, what a beautiful night it is, full of storms, full of voices from tombs and specters. Do you hear the windows creaking, the rain flowing? Isn't it beautiful?"

– Yes, said Byron, often my soul was equal to this upheaval when I was writing.

“Often,” Young continued, “I have sat upon gaunt ribs, and again, upon skeletons; I have poured blood into a skull, carved a handbone for writing, and wiped that bone in dead hair. One day, one evening, one night, I happened to be too heavy, and the skeleton that carried me broke. Then, my body slid into its belly, and its ribs gathered upon my stomach, after their breakage, like springs giving way, like a trebuchet taking hold. The skull crowned my skull, red ink soaked my face, and my pen was lost. I wished to remain four days enclosed in this sort of cage, with the cap on my head and the stains on my face. They found me another bone. I had all my windows closed for those four days; a lamp, covered with purple glass, burned ceaselessly in my room, and I traced my twelfth night.”. «  

Admirable poetically . A precursor to St Pol Roux.