Richard Blanco
Illuminating Poetry for Everyone
“An engineer, poet, Cuban American… his poetry bridges cultures and languages – a mosaic of our past, our present, and our future – reflecting a nation that is hectic, colorful, and still becoming.”
– President Joe Biden, conferring the National Humanities Medal on Richard Blanco
Homeland Of My Body: New & Selected Poems
Beacon Press, Release date: October 24, 2023.
A rich, accomplished, intensely intimate collection with two full sections of new poems bookending Blanco’s selections from his five previous volumes.
In this collection of over 100 poems, Richard Blanco has carefully selected poems from his previous books that represent his evolution as a writer grappling with his identity, working to find and define “home,” and bookended them with new poems that address those issues from a fresh, more mature perspective, allowing him to approach surrendering the pain and urgency of his past explorations. Pausing at this pivotal moment in mid-career, Blanco reexamines his life-long quest to find his proverbial home and all that it encompasses: love, family, identity and ultimately art itself. In the closing section of the volume, he has come to understand and internalize the idea that “home” is not one place, not one thing, and lives both inside him and inside his art.
Upcoming Events
June 29 – July 3, 2026
The Photographic Poem workshop
Maine Media College. Rockport, M.E.
More info>>
July 13, 2026
Poetry in the Garden Workshop with Richard Blanco
Keeler Tavern Museum. Ridgefield, CT
More info>>
July 18, 2026
Craft Tutorial: Modulation of the Poetic Line
Virtual
More info>>
July 25, 2026
Masterclass in Writing Epistolary/Letter Poems with Richard Blanco
Miami Book Fair. Virtual
More info>>
Latest News
“One Today” at the Obama Presidential Center
More than a decade after reading my poem “One Today” at President Obama’s second inauguration, I was deeply moved—even brought to tears—to see the poem installed as part of the Power of Words exhibit at the Obama Presidential Center.
Poetry has given me many unexpected gifts over the years. This is one I’ll never forget.
Grand Opening of the Obama Presidential Center
“This is not goodbye, this is hello. It is the start…”
I’m honored to share this glimpse of President Obama speaking at the grand opening reception of the Obama Presidential Center. More than a decade after reading “One Today” at President Obama’s second inauguration, and after serving for more than a decade on the Obama Foundation’s Storytelling Council, it was especially meaningful to witness this vision become a reality.
The opening of the Center marks the beginning of a new chapter—one rooted in the enduring values of democracy, community, and public service. More than a museum, the Center invites us into an ongoing conversation about civic engagement, community, and the power of our individual and collective stories.
Grateful to everyone whose dedication, imagination, and belief helped bring this extraordinary vision to life.
Grand Opening of the Obama Presidential Center: Photo Montage
It was an absolute dream to celebrate the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center. Having served for more than a decade on the Obama Foundation’s Storytelling Council, it was especially meaningful to witness this vision become reality.
Pictures 1 and 2: More than a decade after reading “One Today” at President Obama’s second inauguration, I was deeply moved—even brought to tears—to see the poem installed in The Power of Words exhibit, projected on a corner wall and visible from all four levels of the Museum.
Also pictured: Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris, Christina Aguilera, Stephen and Evie Colbert, LL COOL J, Conan O’Brien, Justin Trudeau.
Jennifer Hudson singing the national anthem at the grand opening, and other moments from the special stakeholders’ event and private tour—which was a beautiful expression of gratitude for all who helped bring the Center to life.
Walking through the exhibits and grounds, and experiencing the many stories woven throughout the Center, was a powerful reminder that democracy is built not only by leaders, but by communities, conversations, and acts of hope.
Poetry has given me many unexpected gifts over the years. This is one I’ll never forget.
All website content © Copyright 2026 Richard Blanco – Poet & Author | Privacy Policy