A short poem about the mad British obsession with conkers. to follow yesterday’s post about this most madcap, eccentric game!
All Brits will know indubitably
That the fruits of a a Horse Chestnut Tree
Are known as conkers.
All kids in the UK know without fail
How to harden a conker like a nail
And yes, gentle reader, it’s bonkers!
But to succeed at this devilish game
You need a tough conker and a very good aim
You must not leave much to chance.
So vinegar baths and a stout piece of string
A conker as round as anything
You want your champ to advance!
Caro Field Author 
Great follow-up poem. Loved both posts!
Thanks Carol – and we have loved sharing your Italian holiday with you!
I am so encouraged to see kids still playing traditional games. Awesome!
Oh, don’t be fooled, they’re demons!!
we once operated on a conker, took out its insides and replaced them with fibreglass resin, then carefully glued it back together. Possibly not in the spirit of things, but then I was 8.
How splendidly wicked! The burning question is was it a champ as a result?!
I’ve never heard of this game, but it sounds like something my little Mack would enjoy! I’m going back to catch up on your other post.
I feel sure he would!
Not knowing of what you rhyme, it leaves me with considering the crime, of stopping on a dime- and not publicizing the rhyme!
You need to read part one
Roy, you know how to read and so I plead: Go back to the Conkers 1 read it and get it done. Caro, my sweet, your poems cause me to compete. As for Conkers 1 and 2, I’ll leave that competition up to you.
Thanks, Ann!
OK, I have to come clean here: I have never understood the difference between a conker and a chestnut…Can you help?
A conker is the fruit of the horse chestnut tree and is inedible. The chestnut is the fruit of a sweet chestnut tree – your chataigne – and is delicious (marrons)! They look very alike, but the pod that a conker comes in is waxier.
Thanks. It makes sense now!