How to Undress a Cop: Poems

by Cortez, Sarah

• ISBN13: 9781558853010
• ISBN10: 1558853014
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-09-01
• Publisher: Arte Publico Pr

Summary

Poetry. It's not every book of poetry that includes an Ode to Body Armor. But then, it's not every poet whose experience in academia includes a stint at the police academy. The poems of Sarah Cortez are tough-minded, verbally supple, and often deeply, even explicitly, erotic. And all the fifty poems collected here display her many facets: the street smarts and cool analytic eye of a law-enforcement officer, the unique sensibility and bilingual vocabulary of a proud Mexican American, the linguistic dexterity of a Latin teacher, and the frank sensuality of a strong and spirited woman. Surveying fellow officers, friends, criminals, lovers, strangers, and family, Cortez has learned that a bulletproof vest may -- with luck -- protect the body, but protecting the heart from harm is a more mysterious affair. HOW TO UNDRESS A COP is her debut collection and winner of the PEN Texas Literary Award for Poetry.

Table of Contents

Foreword	9	(4)
Naomi Shihab Nye
Hey, Ralph	13	(1)
After Shift	14	(1)
Undressing a Cop	15	(2)
Humberto	17	(2)
By the Airport	19	(1)
Su Hombre	20	(1)
Reunion	21	(3)
Foundations	24	(1)
Las Tias Speak	25	(2)
Dream Man	27	(2)
Dream	29	(2)
Driving Home	31	(1)
Johnnie	32	(2)
Lingo	34	(1)
Rosie Working Plain Clothes	35	(1)
Applying To LAPD	36	(1)
Death	37	(1)
Tuesday Afternoon Invite	38	(2)
Matinee	40	(3)
Tu Negrito	43	(1)
A Certain Kind of Case	44	(1)
Francisco	45	(2)
To Another Officer	47	(1)
Wounded	48	(1)
Silenced	49	(1)
Late Night Torta	50	(1)
Cruising	51	(1)
Devour	52	(1)
Glance	53	(1)
Chulo	54	(1)
Her	55	(1)
The First Time	56	(1)
Surprise Visit by Thirteen-Year-Old	57	(1)
Benediction	58	(1)
Bouquet	59	(1)
``It is springtime, my love''	60	(1)
Rain	61	(1)
Song of Love	62	(1)
Troth	63	(1)
Mystery	64	(1)
Instructions	65	(2)
Fully Equipped	67	(1)
Training Photos	68	(1)
Flag-Down	69	(1)
Ode to Body Armor	70	(1)
Convenience Store Call, Mid-Shift	71	(1)
Interlude	72	(1)
For Kathy	73	(1)
Attempt To Locate	74	(2)
Anew	76	(2)
Index of First Lines	78	(2)
Acknowledgments	80