Johnnie's Poems

The remarkable poems and letters written by a young boy display a perception beyond his years and, in the letters, a wicked sense of humour. Poignantly, Johnnie died in 2004 at the age of 17 and his writings are edited here by his mother. Dyspraxic and struggling at school, Johnnie found a marvellous teacher at the age of seven and was inspired by her to write poems. The ability never left him and his poems express wonder at the power of nature, and, movingly, his grief at the loss of his elder sister from cystic fibrosis. This reprint contains a newly discovered poem written in his late teens and published here for the first time. Also included are numerous photographs and drawings which demonstrate Johnnie's acute observation. The book also makes a plea for understanding of the difficulties facing those with dyspraxia (which means poor coordination and certain learning difficulties), and is an inspiring testament to the possibilities that lie behind an apparently unpromising exterior.