Why We Write

Richard Blanco is the fifth presidential inaugural poet in U.S. history—the youngest, first Latino, immigrant, and gay person to serve in such a role. In this interview, he speaks with former Boston Poet Laureate Danielle Legros Georges during a visit at Lesley University. Born in Madrid to Cuban exile parents and raised in Miami, the negotiation of cultural identity and place characterize Richard's body of work. He is the author of the poetry collections Looking for the Gulf Motel, Directions to the Beach of the Dead, and City of a Hundred Fires; the poetry chapbook Boston Strong and more. His latest book of poems, How to Love a Country (Beacon Press, 2019), both interrogates the American narrative, past and present, and celebrates the still unkept promise of its ideals. He has also authored the memoirs The Prince of Los Cocuyos: A Miami Childhood and For All of Us, One Today: An Inaugural Poet’s Journey. Find links to Richard Blanco's lecture at Lesley University and more on our podcast page.