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 The works here represent those left to the family, both published and unpublished.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

Point of View

From where you sit to view this thing
We now discuss, 'tis clear
That you are right and I am wrong.
But -- I'm sitting over here!

It seems to me you're quite perverse
To argue and declare
That all the truth is on your side.
But -- you're sitting over there!

I wonder, should we view the world,
Each through the other's eyes,
If what we saw would bring to us
A staggering surprise.

Why, could it be, your party's plank
Is laid on solid ground?
And that the party I uphold
Is rather safe and sound?

Would I see good in your dear friend,
Who seemed to me a boor?
And you accept a friend of mine
You'd never liked before?

Or would I recognize some truth
In your outlandish creed?
And would you say my faith is more
Than some poor shaken reed?

It's funny, when you stop to think,
The causes we espouse!
Each wholly wrong, each wholly right,
By all eternal vows!

So you come over here and sit
And I'll sit over there,
Then all our futile differences
Will vanish in thin air!

(Copyright, 1940)
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