Inaugural Poet Pays Homage to American Experience Poet Richard Blanco has delivered an inaugural poem paying homage to the American experience. Blanco, at age 44 the youngest ever inaugural poet, recited a poem that painted vivid scenes about America and included reflections on his experience growing up as Cuban exile in New York City and Miami. Blanco was born in Spain but emigrated to the United States with his parents. He was an engineer before he took up poetry. In addition to being the youngest ever inaugural poet, Blanco is the first Hispanic and the first openly gay person to serve in the role. Blanco has published three books of poetry while maintaining his career as a consulting engineer.