For All of Us, One Today: An Inaugural Poet's Journey

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. (Nov.)