Louis Larsen worked as an English instructor for the majority of his adult life. In that time, he produced many works in both novels and poetry. Louis also worked as a ghost writer for many others, as well as newspapers throughout Utah. The works here represent those left to the family, both published and unpublished. Much of his work reflects a haunting feeling of loss, pain and betrayal. This comes from the loss of his son, Thomas Larsen, in World War II. Tom served with the 85th Mountain Infantry of the 10th Mountain Division, where he served with distinguished honor, and paid the ultimate price for his commitment. Tom lost his life on Riva Ridge, Mount Belvedere in February, 1945. This loss haunted Louis for the remainder of his life. Many of his poems reflect this pain and leave a legacy of the emotional priced paid in the wake of war.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Bayonet Man

He's got the hang
Of swift, clean strife.
He's ready to save
Our way of life.

There's no hard hate
In his laughing eyes,
But he'll let them in
For a big surprise.

He'll spike the belly
Of any foe
and sicken to see
The hot blood flow.

He'll give their guts
A tortured twist
And cry to God
That he might have missed.

He'll make a corpse
Of a mother's son
And curse the day
That made HIM one.

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