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 The works here represent those left to the family, both published and unpublished.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

Vision

In a jungle hell where soldiers fought
And guns spat death on white and black,
One made a target of himself
To bring a wounded brother back.

Where sad eyes met in a bamboo hut,
Each lying on a sodden bed,
They had the same bewidlered thought:
All human blood is red . . . is red!

The rivers run incarnadine
Down to a restless sea
Whose tides will cleanse the murky flood.
They saw the vision distantly.


 

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