I never saw…

I Never Saw… (1972) is a collaboration between poet Judson Jerome and illustrator Helga Aichinger. The book presents a series of short poems describing things a child sees in dreams—scenes that are imaginative, sometimes ordinary, sometimes unusual. Each poem is paired with Aichinger’s dark, dream-like paintings, where limited, carefully placed color contrasts with the overall subdued palette.

The poems are brief and easy to follow, while still offering clear visual images: an eagle with wide black wings, a hedgehog carrying an apple on its back, or two lovers floating in a small boat under a moonlit sky. Aichinger’s illustrations match the tone of these dream sequences, reinforcing the quiet, contemplative atmosphere.