Last month, I was honored to unite with all who attended the “Procession of Angels for Radical Love and Unity”; neighbors, poets, historians, musicians, puppeteers, et al who walked the 2.5 miles through the streets of East Harlem, a.k.a. El Barrio in solidarity for a more compassionate future. Thank you to María Magdalena Campos-Pons and all involved in organizing this heart-touching event; for inviting me to read “Declaration of Interdependence”
Here are some photos of the day we all came together.
I’m humbled to contribute to the groundbreaking, Latino Poetry | The Library of America Anthology. Edited by Rigoberto Gonzalez, it celebrates the work of over 180 poets including Jose Martí and many of my peers, mentors, and friends. Here I am reading from the anthology “Como Tú / Like You / Like Me,” and “My Voice” by Rafael Campo.
Robert Shetterly unveiled a portrait of me at The Gem Theater, in Bethel (ME), as part of his Americans Who Tell the Truth portrait series. I’m humbled to appear in his empowering collection and to read my poem, “Como Tú / Like You / Like Me” (which is excerpted above and on the portrait). I’m sincerely grateful to Robert for his art and all he does to nurture the virtues of our democracy.
CLICK for info and to explore resources for educators.
Richard Blanco was thrilled to join host Elisa New, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and fellow inaugural poet Amanda Gorman, as a featured guest on the season premiere of Poetry in America. One of his favorite TV shows, it brings poetry into living rooms across the country. This episode celebrates the life and work of Phillis Wheatley. The first African-American author of a published book of poetry, she is one of the most famous names in early American history.
As the first-ever Poet Laureate of Miami-Dade County, and led by his passion for connecting the community through poetry, Richard Blanco created Miami’s Favorite Poems Project. This project invites people from all walks of life to share a favorite poem that has had some meaningful impact on their life and thinking.
The project was launched at the Miami Book Fair on Nov. 19, 2022. Featured special guest readers included Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami Dade College President Madeline Pumariega, former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky, poet and novelist Sandra Cisneros, and poet Marci Calabretta Cancio-Bello, among others in our community.
Poet Richard Blanco returns to Boston Public Radio for an episode of the “Village Voice,” to celebrate poet January Gill O’Neil’s latest collection Glitter Road, and to retroactively honor Black History Month, and Women’s History Month.
O’Neil is a professor at Salem State University and the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Poetry Festival. Her latest collection reflects on “Marriage, loss, and a new relationship, with the backdrop of a Mississippi season. She explores the legacy of Emmitt Till and how his legacy is braided with hers; how race blights us all.” Said Blanco. read more…
It was a tremendous honor to write (and recite) a poem about democracy and interdependence for Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s State of the County Address. I’m grateful to have a mayor invested in the community, the arts, and the environment. Remember the power of your vote this election season.
Shoutout to Nicole Tallman for her stellar efforts as Poetry Ambassador for Miami-Dade County!
Richard Blanco joins Jim and Margery on Boston Public Radio to reflect on his most recent collection: Homeland of My Body: New and Selected Poems. He reads a selection of new works and shares thoughts on the inspiration that kindled them, as well as the creative journey that led him to this mid-career collection.
“The new poems are, in a sense, a letting go of things…the ego-driven idea of finding home, all the homes I’ve had that still live in me.”
The final poem he read, “Become Me” is dedicated to his husband, Mark, as is the book as a whole.
In this latest episode of Village Voice, Poet Richard Blanco joins Jim and Margery on Boston Public Radio to explore A-I-generated poetry.
“I was going to choose Halloween poems, but I think this topic is even scarier.” He said.
Blanco asked Chat GBT to generate two poems. One, in the style of his own voice, after his poem “Palmita Mia” which translates to “Little Palm of Mine.” (From City of a Hundred Fires.) For the second, he asked it to write a poem in the style of “How to Triumph like a Girl” (from Bright Dead Things) by Ada Limón.
Richard Blanco returns to Boston Public Radio and joins hosts Gerrard Bowen and Andrea Cabral for another segment of Village Voice. They speak a little about Richard’s forthcoming collection, HOMELAND OF MY BODY, and how the concepts of home and love are ever-changing landscapes we carry within us. Tune in for Richard’s reading of his own “beach poems,” and the stories and memories that informed them.
Enjoy the poems copied below as they are read and discussed. read more…
