Richard Blanco
One Today
University Pittsburgh Press, 2013
A commemorative chapbook of the poem commissioned by President Barack Obama and presented during his second Inauguration, on January 20th, 2012. Richard was the fifth inaugural poet in USA history, joining the ranks of such luminary poets as Robert Frost, Maya Angelou, Miller Williams and Elizabeth Alexander. On January 21, 2013, he read his original poem, “One Today” as an honorary participant in the official inaugural ceremony themed, “Faith in America’s Future,” commemorating our nation’s perseverance. *Studio and live recordings available.
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Inauguration 2013: Richard Blanco’s Poetry Pays Homage to American Experience
Praise & Reviews
“Blanco’s contributions to the fields of poetry and the arts have already paved a path forward for future generations of writers. Richard’s writing will be wonderfully fitting for an inaugural that will celebrate the strength of the American people and our nation’s great diversity.
– President Barack Obama
“Blanco showed great courage…and it’s courage that is the most important of all virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.
– Maya Angelou
“It was a masterfully polished, disciplined and heartfelt response… that also captured the collective hope and unease of our shared national experience.
– Hector Tobar, The Los Angeles Times