The Last Time We Were Children

by Penny J. Johnson

Book by Penny J. Johnson

94 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2007

About the author

Penny J. Johnson is a writer and an editor. Her poetry works include The Last Time We Were Children and While Bethlehem Sleeps. Penny lives in Minnesota with her husband, their three sons, and their two Labrador Retrievers.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her poem, Streets, explores how identity is lost and found in the places we live. It is one of the longer poems in the book but is divided into 12 sections with each section identified by a location name. Each section sketches a memory of the location that renders not only a physical place but the emotional coordinates of the speaker.

The Last Time We Were Children by Penny J. Johnson is for anyone who realizes that best parts of life are made up of the small moments and mundane actions of our lives. Like all poets, Johnson explores birth and death but her most deft portraits of life and, of death come in the little details.

To read the rest of my review, check it out at Suite101: http://american-poetry.suite101.com/a...

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I prefer novels to poetry, but this book of poems had some poignant prose that made me stop and think about the meaning. Like the Psalms, there is a story within the lines. This book was divided into four parts, like "themes." I particularly enjoyed parts 2-4. My favorite poems were Offering, Matins, and Adjusting the Darkness. If you enjoy poetry that includes family, faith, and memories, you'll enjoy this collection of poems by Penny J. Johnson.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this little collection to be insightful and entertaining. It brought forth vivid images of childhood, and evoked warm emotional memories, especially of chicken a' la king in my mom's kitchen. Johnson gives an intimate glimpse into the pain and joy of being a wife and mother.

http://www.pennyspagesonline.com/