(Philip) Kevin Paul

February 19, 1971

Biography

Philip Kevin Paul was born and raised in the southern most village on the west side of W̱SÁNEĆ territory. He has two books of poetry. Taking the Names Down from the Hill won the BC Book Prize in 2004 and Little Hunger was a finalists for Canada's Governor General's award and the Relit award in 2009. He's also had poems and essays published in many magazines, journals and anthologies. He works at W̱SÁNEĆ College, contributing to the revival of SENĆOŦEN, his people's language, and teaches, as a sessional instructor, for the University of Victoria. He has a Bachelors degree in Writing and Enlgish, and a Masters Degree in Fine Arts, both from the University of Victoria.

Micro-interview

Did you read poetry when you were in high school? Is there a particular poem that you loved when you were a teenager?

When I was in high school, I wasn't a good student. Despite that, I was admitted into the English Literature Honours class due to my unusual interest in writing, poetry in particular. I encountered William Carlos Williams', The Red Wheelbarrow and, though I didn't understand what made it a poem, it intrigued me that something so simple could be considered a poem. It also moved me, but I didn't now why. I looked for that experience in all poems after that, including the strictly rhymed and metered lines of poets like Alexander Pope and Samuel Taylor Calderidge. I was able to navigate classical forms that way. It was enjoyable and, often, moving.

When did you first start writing poetry? And then when did you start thinking of yourself as a poet?

I started writing poetry in elementary school, as assigned. I found poetry writing assignments by far the most fun and rewarding. I honestly don't know if I've ever thought of myself as a poet, though I do call myself a writer.

What do you think a poet’s “job” is?

To communicate and offer connection.