How to Undress a Cop

by Sarah Cortez

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.

Genres: Poetry

80 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2000

About the author

SARAH CORTEZ, resident of Houston and member of the Texas Institute of Letters, is the author of two poetry collections and winner of the PEN Texas literary award in poetry. Her mixed-genre memoir, Walking Home: Growing up Hispanic in Houston, was published by Texas Review Press in 2012. She has edited six anthologies, ranging from crime fiction to memoir to poetry.

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Reviews

[ALICIA MOGOLLON · Rating 4 out of 5]

some beautifully woven words, Cortez, weaves tapestries of intense and engaging imagery. In her poems about life as a cop, she does not glamorize herself or her fellow officers but speaks blatantly and honestly. I am inspired to write a poem to her and every other officer. Even more intriguing are her poems about love, sex and her personal life.
My favorite stanza:
I want to enjoy you slowly
in the Valley's afternoon,
in a darkened bedroom, water-cooler angled
in the doorway, pink bedspread crumpled
on the floor. Before a rainstorm's heavy,
dust-laden drops hurl into parched earth
excerpt from "Reunion"

[Sarah Goodner · Rating 5 out of 5]

White hot words for a blue collar audience, this is some of the best modern poetry I've read in a long time. Sarah Cortez is a vulnerable woman encased in kick-ass leather.

[Lina Suarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was blushing the entire time I read this book, but I immensely enjoyed it!