Home » Poems » Ilene Bauer » In the Shell

In the Shell

When snacking on some nuts, I much
Prefer them in the shell
For there’s a bit of work
That cracking open does compel.

It slows my munching tempo
And besides, it’s kinda fun,
Plus the proof of what you ate
Is piled before you when you’re done.

Pistachios require just hands
While walnuts need a cracker,
A handy tool to have in case
You know an almond snacker.

It’s easier, of course, to buy
A bag of just the meats
But to me, the cracking of the shells
Makes nuts such special treats.

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Robert Johnson

Date: 1/19/2017 7:58:00 PM

Oh, my Dad always had a bag of assorted nut's at Christmas time and a wooden bowl shaped like a walnut. I always enjoyed working at harvesting the meat, well, not always, :) but you know what I mean. It does make the joy seem more worthwhile. :)

Barry Stebbings

Date: 1/12/2017 4:34:00 PM

Interesting, Ilene. I buy mine shelled. // Barry

Jean Murray

Date: 1/12/2017 4:42:00 AM

I like shelling monkey nuts best Ilene. A throwback to childhood Halloween.

Tim Smith

Date: 1/11/2017 4:19:00 PM

I prefer the shells too...especially at a ball game i'll reach for the sunflower seeds

Maurice Rigoler

Date: 1/11/2017 4:05:00 PM

I've gotten lazy in my old age, Ilene. Shelled nuts, of course, are fresher than the prepackaged ones – who knows how long they've been incarcerated? I especially enjoyed the 2nd stanza, a good indicator, too, when one should stop eating. Too much of anything good isn't good. I didn't think you'd read "Evergreen". I will send you soup mail and explain ASAP. It's a side of me I don't reveal often on the Soup. Thanks for reading it. / M

Jan Allison

Date: 1/11/2017 3:57:00 PM

Your poem brought back many childhood memories as We only ever had nuts in shells at Christmas - now I just buy ready shelled to go in my museli:-) hugs Jan xx