Vera’s poetry memoir book offers a uniquely intimate and powerful reading experience, weaving together the raw emotion of lived experiences of herself and her family with the lyrical beauty of verse. Unlike traditional memoirs, the poetic form allows her to distill memory, trauma, joy, and transformation into moments of pure, resonant language and invites the reader not just to understand, but to feel. Opportunities for the reader to contemplate and discover what they believe and think, create teachable moments building the future as a better and more loving place. This blending of personal narrative and poetic craft creates a space where vulnerability meets artistry, making each poem a window into a life that is both deeply personal and universally human. A poetry memoir doesn’t just tell a story, it sings it.
Thank you for sharing your poetry and memoirs about your life, family, and friends. It is an honor to be included with our FAU students in this touching book.
–Dr. Susannah Brown, professor, visual art education, Florida Atlantic University, internationally recognized author and artist
In her latest book, Who am I?, Vera Ripp Hirschhorn presents us with a mix of prose, poetry and historical context. It’s not only a powerful memoir but a self-help for those navigating grief and searching for “authentic self,” providing checklists and writing prompts. The book is a love letter to America and conveys her emotional journey as an immigrant along with the devastating and tragic circumstances of her family during WW2. She also explores her deep connections with Spain with moving poetry and anecdotes. This is a unique memoir that will appeal to a broad audience.
–Angela Page, writer, film producer, and author. President of the South Florida chapter of Women’s National Book Association
Wow, so much to unpack in your story. A-MAZ-ING!…Thank you for sharing it with me.
–Merrie Meyers, Ph.D., APR, Fellow PRSA
In this engrossing memoir, the author describes the challenges she encountered after arriving here from war-torn Europe in 1952… Later on, the little immigrant who functioned as a working [translator] for her parents became an award-winning student in both high school and college, all of which led to pursue her dream with studies in Spain. Over the years, she put her heart and soul into various forms of teaching…. It is now 2025 and another stage of life. As Hirschhorn conveys in both her prose and poetry, she has begun listening to an inner voice that has turned toward fulfilling her own needs.
–Marlene Klotz, award-winning poet, playwright, and author of nine books
The cover speaks to the wonders of the poetic journey that lies within. Each part of the collection is a treasure trove of poetic forms, accompanying historical and family photographs, and exercises providing the reader opportunities to dig deeper into the poet’s story. Among my favorites are “The Bowl”, a situation that could not be solved even with the wisdom of King Solomon and “I Only See a Child” (we have more in common than not). Get ready to partake in some remarkable, memorable memoir moments.
–Suzanne S. Austin-Hill, Author of Sixty-seven Pages from the Heart.