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 The works here represent those left to the family, both published and unpublished.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

Immortal Trivia

The heart awakens in a dream
To light a lamp of truth
That sheds an immortality
On all the trivialty
That went away with youth.

That day in school they laughed because
The new girl came in jeans.
An incident forgotten, yes;
But slumber stirs an old distress
That hasn't died by any means.

The boy who sadly worshipped
His pretty third-grade teacher
Has not the dimmest memory of
His truly first and vanished love--
But, oh, a dream can reach her!

However pale the picture is,
Concealed however deep--
If it has touched the heart enough,
A drama made of fairy stuff
Unfolds, closed-circuit, while you sleep.

(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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