Linguistics in a Nutshell

It's been a few years since my grandson gathered medieval looking conkers, but I clearly remember their prickly appearance. Last I checked, no chestnut trees menace our neighborhood. It's only the black walnuts we contend with.



Linguistics in a Nutshell


My grandson collected conkers
fallen from a chestnut tree
on a leafy street in London.
And I puzzled over the odd,
British moniker for this glossy nut
bundled in a spiky shell
until acorns, elfin in comparison,
pelted my head from an oak
found at home three months
and a turn of the globe later.

At least the black walnut held its fire.



Marilyn Aschoff Mellor