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 The works here represent those left to the family, both published and unpublished.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

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Exultancy

I have seen the big game hunter
Stalk the roaring jungle beast
In the land of tangled spaces
Where the west fades into east.

I have seen the yawning rhino
Staggered over, to the death,
Where I stood in frozen terror
And the hunter held his breath.

I have heard the "ping" of bullets
When a pilot's been at bay,
And a shot by narrow inches
Was enough to save the day.

I have lived the breathless moment
When the natives at their feasts
Have been saved by desperate shooting
From the savage king of beasts.

Then I've seen the look of triumph
Through a rift of swirling smoke,
And I've heard the high elation
When the dauntless gunner spoke.

But of all the eyes that sparkeled,
Hearts that leaped exultantly,
It was my kid in the garden
When he bottled up a bee!
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