President Barack Obama, left, and Vice President Joe Biden listen as poet Richard Blanco speaks at the ceremonial swearing-in on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington on Jan. 21.
PORTLAND — A Bethel resident who served as the inaugural poet at President Barack Obama's ceremonial swearing-in is giving a free poetry reading in Portland.
Richard Blanco will appear Feb. 26 at Merrill Auditorium in Portland.
Blanco drew wide praise for his inaugural poem, "One Today," that paid homage to the American experience. Blanco grew up as a Cuban exile in New York City and Miami, and moved to the small Maine town of Bethel several years ago.
He told the Portland Press Herald he'll read several of his works, including his inaugural poem, at the Portland event.
Admission is free, but tickets are required and are available beginning Monday through PortTix, the ticketing arm of Merrill Auditorium.
The reading is being arranged by the Creative Portland Corp. nonprofit organization.
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