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 The works here represent those left to the family, both published and unpublished.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, November 9, 2014

Disillusion

I saw a little girl bend low
To touch in wonderment
some shining pebbles on the walk
As home from school she went.

She clutched one in her tiny hand,
A rare and precious gem.
No one had ever told her of
The worthlessness of them.

She will go this way at last,
Old and bent and grey,
With only heaven in her eyes,
The earth so far away.

(First published in Along the Lane: Dedicated to the memory of Thomas William Larsen, who lost his life in World War II) 
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