Top Cop* An Interview With Poet/Cop Gail Merriwether

As we continue the Black History Month series here, I'm pleased to present an exciting interview with a personal friend of mine: retired, veteran cop, Gail Merriwether. For two decades, Gail "served and protected" many of the mean streets in Chicago. She's also a talented, eloquent poet and freelance writer whose work has appeared in several print and online publications. And if she ever gets the fame that she deserves, I am totally taking credit for discovering her. :-)

CAN YOU TELL PEN AND PROSPER READERS A LITTLE ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND YOUR BACKGROUND?

I’m happy to. I grew up in Chicago, raised my son here, and retired from a law enforcement career here (second generation-- my Dad was a homicide detective). During that career I had the opportunity to travel extensively and now am back home and settled in Chicago. I have been a member of Poets United on the south side for over 20 years, have published a book of poetry and recently had a piece published in Write City Review.

HOW HAS POLICING AND LAW ENFORCEMENT CHANGED SINCE YOU WERE A BEAT COP?

There has always been a love/hate relationship between citizens and police. Right now the pendulum is swinging toward hate. People don’t want to be accountable when they break the law, politicians needs scapegoats, and law enforcement is caught in the middle.

WHY DO YOU WRITE?

I think it’s something I’ve always done—since age 11 according to my Mother.  I’ve always been an avid reader and writing was a natural outgrowth. Also, everyone has a story and it’s important to preserve those ideas or experiences for future generations.

WHAT CHALLENGES YOU THE MOST ABOUT BEING A WRITER?

Finding time to sort out the many ideas that cross the threshold of my imagination. Writer’s block isn’t an issue for me--it’s the opposite.

OF WHAT ACCOMPLISHMENT ARE YOU MOST PROUD?

I don’t feel as if I have achieved enough to be proud of yet; I like to think the best is yet to come.

I'M A BIG FAN OF COP SHOWS... (Particularly Chicago P.D.)
OF ALL THE COP DRAMA SERIES AIRED ON TV WHAT'S THE BIGGEST 

MISCONCEPTION REGARDING "MEN IN BLUE"?

Their freedom to take so many decisions into their own hands with no supervisor and never filling out paperwork!

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR LITERARY HEROES OR INFLUENCES?

Too numerous to name. And it depends on the genre. I appreciate many styles and authors. My house looks like an annex to the public library.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR WRITING GOALS FOR 2020?

Publish another book of poetry.

ANY WRITING TIP FOR ASPIRING WRITERS/POETS SEEKING TO GO THE DISTANCE?

Don’t stop writing. The more you write, the more you find your own literary voice. It is a discipline and sometimes you need to sit and write even when you don’t feel magically inspired.


HERE'S A SAMPLE OF GAIL'S WORK...

AT THE BAR

Cops,

Count their divorces

Over glasses raised in toasts;

Recount death in its myriad forms;

Compare surgical scars in a show of bravado and vanity;

Express hope

And doubt

About their futures;

Stay up late

Avoiding their own dreams.

(c) 2012 Gail Merriwether