‘Dark Sonnet’ by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by C. Riddell

© Photo by Leo Hidalgo

Writer Neil Gaiman and illustrator Chris Riddell joined forces to capture the meaning of true love in this illustrated version of Gaiman’s poem, ‘Dark Sonnet’.

The combination of both arts gave birth to a powerful interpretation of the British poet’s written words.

Similarly, filmmaker Yulin Kuang turned the compelling poem into moving images, voices by Los Angeles-based actress Mary Kate Wiles.

I don’t think that I’ve been in love as such
although I liked a few folk pretty well
Love must be vaster than my smiles or touch
for brave men died and empires rose and fell
for love, girls follow boys to foreign lands
and men have followed women into hell
In plays and poems someone understands
there’s something makes us more than blood and bone
And more than biological demands for me love’s like the wind unseen, unknown
I see the trees are bending where it’s been
I know that it leaves wreckage where it’s blown
I really don’t know what I love you means
I think it means don’t leave me here alone

* Video adaptation by Yulin Kuang *

Marie