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 The works here represent those left to the family, both published and unpublished.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

Saturday, October 4, 2014

It's Your Flag!

It's your flag . . .
Rugged toiler in the field --
It's not his flag
Who desecrates the yield
Of soil and seed
To make our country's wealth
The pawn of greed.

It's your flag . . .
Soldier, marching on to war --
It's not his flag
Who makes you what you are --
A soul and body rent --
To show a ledgered profit
On his armament.

It's your flag . . .
Humble worker on the line --
It's not his flag . . .
Who works you overtime,
Where gears and levers mesh
To make a sordid merchandise
Of human flesh.

It's your flag . . .
Mother, bearing gifts of life --
It's not his flag
Who shirks the galling strife
Of giving this America
The soul and brawn --
The singing strength to carry on,

It's your flag . . .
Trusting brother at the poll --
It's not his flag
Who gets you to enroll
To keep some plitician
In the sun
When voices shout --
"the party's won!"

It's your flag . . .
If in every fold and crease
You see the flaming destiny
Of peace.
It's not your flag,
if you would have men bleed
To win some war of hate
For alien creed!

(Copyright, 1940)
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