The Last Time We Were Children by Penny J. Johnson

A memory
of a chicken mixture over toast?
I don't even like chicken.
What are pimientos anyway?

Through poetry, Penny J. Johnson explores memories from childhood like this one in “Chicken a la King.” But, The Last Time We Were Children is more than remembering. Her poems describe descending sledding hills, climbing mountains, and playing in fields and fairgrounds. They also profoundly cast light—both with humor and serious faith—on the dark hours of staying up with a sick child and sitting in the ER with an aging loved one. The pages speak of joy in first kisses, last words, and hearing the words of an autistic child. Those who read this book will be reminded how childlike faith and wishes grow into adult conviction and hope.

Author Penny J. Johnson has a B.A. degree in Professional Writing. She edited career development materials for a small publishing company before becoming a full-time, at-home mom. From coordinating the women’s book club at her church to completing an online mentorship, she continues reading, writing, and editing. She also enjoys teaching second grade Sunday school, leading a women’s Bible study small group, and speaking at women’s events and retreats. Penny lives in Minnesota with her husband, their three sons, and their Labrador Retriever.

Praise for

The Last Time We Were Children

"The binding topic of these varied poems is relationships: child to world; adolescent to friends; young woman to God, husband, children, and the past. Each poem explores these relationships with wit, a kind of melancholy gladness, and, finally, wisdom. You will find yourself in them and, yet, more than yourself. They are a pleasure to the ear and to the soul."

Daniel Taylor
Speaker and author of Tell Me a Story and
In Search of Sacred Places

"These poems provide eloquent testimony to the search for connections in life-connections that bind our personal identity to parents, grandparents, and children, and connections between faith and the suffering of loved ones. Penny Johnson explores the language of faith to discover connections that will surprise, console, and challenge you."

Daniel E. Ritchie
Professor of English
Bethel University

"I suppose there are as many reasons to turn to poetry as there are readers of poetry, but surely most of us hope for a mix of seriousness and humor, intensity and groundedness that we can take with us back into our lives once we have finished the poem. Penny Johnson's poems offer just this kind of mix. Hers is a voice, it is easy to trust, and the poems themselves both challenge and inspire the reader. There are many poems I could point to that embody the qualities I'm describing here. One of my favorites is "Jenny," a poem that plays with our sense of identities and challenges us to see how permeable the boundary is between ourselves and the people around us we so often think of as strangers. From the first poem to the last, Penny Johnson treats her readers as friends rather than strangers: What a gift these poems are!"

Jim Moore
Author of Lightning at Dinner

penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny j. johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson penny johnson the last time we were children the last time we were children the last time we were children the last time we were children the last time we were children the last time we were children the last time we were children the last time we were children the last time we were children the last time we were children the last time we were children the last time we were children poetry books novels author jesus christianity writing bookclubs literature classics bronte dillard beth moore church christian hawthorne faulkner poetry books novels author jesus christianity writing bookclubs literature classics bronte dillard beth moore church christian hawthorne faulkner poetry books novels author jesus christianity writing bookclubs literature classics bronte dillard beth moore church christian hawthorne faulkner poetry books novels author jesus christianity writing bookclubs literature classics bronte dillard beth moore church christian hawthorne faulkner poetry books novels author jesus christianity writing bookclubs literature classics bronte dillard beth moore church christian hawthorne faulkner poetry books novels author jesus christianity writing bookclubs literature classics bronte dillard beth moore church christian hawthorne faulkner poetry books novels author jesus christianity writing bookclubs literature classics bronte dillard beth moore church christian hawthorne faulkner poetry books novels author jesus christianity writing bookclubs literature classics bronte dillard beth moore church christian hawthorne faulkner poetry books novels author jesus christianity writing bookclubs literature classics bronte dillard beth moore church christian hawthorne faulkner poetry books novels author jesus christianity writing bookclubs literature classics bronte dillard beth moore church christian hawthorne faulkner poetry books novels author jesus christianity writing bookclubs literature classics bronte dillard beth moore church christian hawthorne faulkner poetry books novels author jesus christianity writing bookclubs literature classics bronte dillard beth moore church christian hawthorne faulkner