América

“One Today” by Richard Blanco (2013)

“One Today” is the poem Blanco wrote and performed for the second inauguration of President Barack Obama in January 2013. It emphasizes the unity of the United States, made up of many different elements. In that sense it is thematically similar to “América,” which presents a radical difference between two cultures, but explores the shared experience generations of immigrants have faced in negotiating and accepting assimilation into American culture, while retaining cultural traditions.

“El Florida Room“ by Richard Blanco (2012)

As in “América,” Blanco looks back to a special room in the house that his mother called “El Florida”; it had a very attractive view from the window; he would sit there for hours, watching television and becoming a Clint Eastwood fan; his father would listen to Elvis Presley records and his mother learned to dance, all in that room. The poem is an example of Blanco’s nostalgia and longing for a place to call home; he is looking back from his adopted home in Maine to the many years he spent in Florida.

“Contemplations at the Virgin de la Caridad Cafetería, Inc.” by Richard Blanco (1998)