The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Inaugural poet to share love of America
SHERRILL, N.Y. >> Presidential inaugural poet Richard Blanco will share his love of America with Central New York residents on Monday, June 17, at 6 p.m. at the Sherrill-Kenwood Library.
Blanco will discuss his new book, “How to Love a Country,” a collection of poems that invites a conversation on what it means to be an American. The poems cover a variety of topics, including the Pulse nightclub massacre; an unexpected encounter on a visit to Cuba; the forced exile of 8,500 Navajos in 1868; a lynching in Alabama; the arrival of a young Chinese woman at Angel Island in 1938; the incarceration of a gifted writer; and the poet’s abiding love for his partner, who he is finally allowed to wed as a gay man.
Blanco spoke at President Barack Obama’s 2013 inauguration, the fifth poet to speak at an inauguration in U.S. history. He also holds the distinction of being the youngest, first Latino, immigrant, and gay person to serve in such a role.
“Richard Blanco’s contributions to the fields of poetry and the arts have already paved a path forward for future generations of writers,” writes Obama on the back cover of Blanco’s book.
Other works by Blanco include “Boundaries” (2017), “One Today” (2015), “The Prince of Lose Cocuyos: A Miami Childhood” (2014), “For All of Us, One Today: An Inaugural Poet’s Journey” (2013), “Boston Strong” (2013), “Looking for the GulfMedal” (2012), “Directions to the Beach of the Dead” (2005), and “City of a Hundred Fires” (1998).
The Sherrill-Kenwood Library program with Blanco is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
For more information, visit the library at 543 Sherrill Road, Sherrill, call 315-363-5980, or visit sherrillkenwoodlibrary.org.