It was to be
the Gala Dada-Arts soirée
of
1923
July the 5th
near the Opera
at the Theatre
Michel
but it turned
out to be
a famous free-for-all
brawl.
Artistic differences
you understand.
Andre Breton
(the arch Surrealist)
not taking to the play
of Tristan Tzara
(the Dada of them all)
upstages the play
jumps on stage
berates &
boxes Crevel’s ears
roundly
and then rounds on
Pierre de Masset
breaking his arm
with his waking cane.
The actors hampered
by the solid cardboard costumes
make efforts to flee
with tiny tiny steps.
So many poets
fighting with such relish
even the usually docile
Paul Eluard
whilst fiercely attacking
Tzara
collapses into the footlights
smashing several lights
until finally
police have to be called
to break up
the poetic riot.
The Theatre
(all respectable and Bourgeois)
is left
gasping
“Bloody poets! ”
Its seats torn open
& hanging loose.
Rock ‘n’ roll
before Rock ‘n’ Roll
has even come about.
It’s as Dada & Surreal
as it can get
just sorting out a few ideological differences…you understand.
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