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Poet philosopher visits Villanova
Andrea Flood ‘03
 On
Feb. 4 in the Luis De Leon Room of the Saint Augustine Center, published
poet and philosopher, H.L. Hix, gave a poetry reading, highlighting works
from his newest collection, Surely as Birds Fly. The reading commenced
the English department’s fifth annual Villanova Literary Festival.
Professor Daniel Vilmure opened the event
by welcoming the audience and esteemed guest, H.L. Hix. Vilmure then called
upon Professor Lisa Sewell to provide a brief biographical sketch and
introduction of Hix. Sewell described Hix as “a poet of remarkable
skill, range and originality,” and remarked that “Surely as
Birds Fly amply displays Hix’s formal and impressive range.”
Hix approached the podium and said he
would begin his reading with an invocation. He gracefully recited Robert
Hayden’s poems, “Ice Storm” and “Those Winter
Sundays,” as he conjured up winter landscapes and introduced themes
of spirituality. Hix then read a set of four love poems from his collection
Rational Numbers, followed by selected poetry by Gerard Manley Hopkins,
Eugenijus Alisanka, Anne Carson and W.H. Auden. Finally, he read two poems
dealing with marital difficulties from his own collection, Surely as Birds
Fly. Hix concluded his reading with another winter poem, “Gemini,”
by the contemporary American poet Louise Gluck.
The reading closed as Hix responded to
audience questions. When asked about how he generates his poetry, Hix
responded “When it’s working, I hear voices… [and] the
language has taken on a life of its own.” He also discussed the
differences between poets and novelists, and addressed issues concerning
the major themes of his works.
Hix is currently the vice president for
Academic Affairs at the Cleveland Art Institute, and has also taught philosophy
at the college level. He is presently seeking a publisher for his newest
anthology, Three Parts Upon a Ground. His previously published works also
include: Perfect Hell, Spirits Hovering Over the Ashes and City of Ash.
Hix has also been a recipient of the Peregrine Smith Poetry Prize and
the T.S. Eliot Prize for Poetry.
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