For All of Us, One Today

Starred review from November 11, 2013
On January 21, 2013, Blanco joined the ranks of Robert Frost and Maya Angelou when he became the fifth ever U.S. Inaugural Poet. In this slim book, Blanco, the son of Cuban immigrants and the first openly gay poet to read at a presidential inauguration, uses prose as lovely as his poetry to describe his path to this historic day. Given only three weeks to write three poems for the inauguration, the poet composed "One Today"(the one ultimately chosen by the committee to be read), "Mother Country," and "What We Know of Country." All three poems are included in both Spanish and English, as well as a fourth poem titled "America". Blanco ends recognizing his new role as a public figure and he hopes for a day when poetry can once again become an important part of American folklore and consciousness. Thanks to Blanco's intelligent, open, and honest reflections, this book will make Americans' heart swell with pride and patriotism in the most genuine way.

November 1, 2013
Richard Blanco occupies a post that only five poets in American history have enjoyed, that of Inaugural Poet, an experience he revisits in this self-described memoirette. Short in length and long on entertainment, it's a dive into the chaotic wonderland of being selected to write and read a poem for an American president on the biggest stage any poet has ever known. How Blanco was selected as inaugural poet for Barack Obama remains a mystery. He was a modestly known poet with three critically applauded books, but he was not in the limelight. However, as an immigrant, a Latino, openly gay, an engineer by trade, and a poet, he is a walking checklist of political issues. This book spotlights Blanco's creativity, honor, and humility. He reflects on his background, confesses to his star gazing at the inaugural, and pays tribute to those closest to him. In addition to the inaugural poem, One Today, are two other poems written for the inaugural committee, all accompanied by Spanish translations. This is a beautifully made record of an important moment in poetry.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)