Richard Blanco, a son of Cuban exiles, is to be the 2013 inaugural poet, joining the ranks of notables like Robert Frost and Maya Angelou. Mr. Blanco will compose an original poem for the president's ceremonial swearing-in on the steps of the Capitol on Jan. 21. Addie Whisenant, the inaugural committee's spokeswoman, said Mr. Obama picked Mr. Blanco because the poet's "deeply personal poems are rooted in the idea of what it means to be an American."
Mr. Blanco will be the nation's fifth inaugural poet; the practice was begun by John F. Kennedy, picked up by Bill Clinton and continued by Mr. Obama.
Mr. Blanco will be the nation's fifth inaugural poet; the practice was begun by John F. Kennedy, picked up by Bill Clinton and continued by Mr. Obama.