I Would Take
You Anywhere
Let us not succumb
to the American delusion
of nature & ruralness.
We are born of technology
and live in cities
with every amenity
we can afford.
I will gladly take you
to visit the country
and embrace wilderness
& absence of civilization
but when we’re done
let me take you back
to the city
back to the lights
and restaurants
and parks
that package nature
for the likes of us.
Herb Kauderer is an associate professor of English at Hilbert College. He won the 2017 Asimov’s Readers Award for poetry, and is the author of two books and thirteen chapbooks of poetry. More about him can be found at HerbKauderer.com.