Kevin Zepper’s poem chosen as editor’s choice

Kevin Zepper’s poem chosen as editor’s choice

Kevin Zepper, professor in the English Department, was recently chosen editor’s choice for his poem, “Ghost Writing.”

Two of Zepper’s poems, “Ghost Writing” and “Blind” were published in “Talking Stick,” a publication out of Park Rapids.

“Ghost Writing” is a poem that tells a story about how language constantly surrounds us. It’s the idea that everyone sees different things in life. Some people see one story and another person sees a different story.

Sharon Harris, the editor of “Talking Stick,” wrote in her editor’s note,

“The poem is imaginative; the poet did something with a subject that I would not have thought of doing. Such a clever play on words. A ghost writer does the writing behind the scenes for other authors, helping them with their writing. In this poem, we see spectral ink, otherworldly words appearing, free-floating ideas, all actually coming from ghosts as words manifest on any stray piece of paper. Very clever.”

After high school Zepper attended MSUM and graduated with his bachelors degree in English and his Master of Fine Arts. He said he had great teachers that pushed him to be better.

Now that he’s a professor, he says it’s the students that make his job fun.

“The students keep me on my toes and they educate me,” Zepper said. “My favorite part about teaching is seeing the light go on. Whether it’s in the class or on the paper. When I can see that eureka moment, that feels good.”