Whispered Verse: Four Generations of Poetry

Across more than a century, one family found its voice in poetry.

Whispered Verse is a rare anthology that gathers the words of four generations-great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, and son-preserving a legacy of memory, love, and meaning. From Cora Lemery's handbound book of poems written as a gift to her husband in the early 1900s, to her daughter Lulu's heartfelt reflections and chain-letter poetry exchanged with pen pals, to Querida Funck's notebooks of youthful exploration and later creative voice, and finally to her son Shane's modern contributions, each section reveals the enduring thread of language carried across time.

The collection moves through themes of faith, family, humor, grief, and resilience, offering intimate glimpses into ordinary lives made luminous through verse. Some poems are handwritten, some typed, some digital-each a reflection of its era, yet together they form a chorus of voices speaking across generations.

Curated and introduced by writer and playwright Querida Funck, Whispered Verse is more than a poetry book. It is a literary family album, a testament to how words connect past to present, and a reminder that even the quietest lines can echo for decades.

Whether read privately, shared aloud, or gifted as a keepsake, this collection invites readers to listen closely to the whispers of love, memory, and meaning that pass from one generation to the next.