Fallen Under a Southern Sky – Tribute to Jared Murphy (Original Poem)

By Mark A. Leon

Fallen from the clouds
Under a southern sky you perished
Not to be forgotten; not to be mourned

A protector of humanity
Behind the uniform you stood
Humbled by the embrace of a community shielded from danger; welcomed by the hug of family

Each day a promise to the smiling faces of our future
To lead, to protect, to honor

Under the warm spring sun surrounded by eternal reminders of lost sons and daughters we stand in silence
Only the cinematic mental images of memories make any movement

Alone a wife, three children and a void
By the grassy knoll they stand in tears
In the final moments, his body lowered to a resting place
So peaceful

His spirit will continue to teach life lessons
He will not throw a ball or tell a bed time story, but he will always be there

With the brush of the wind, his hug will be felt
With the raindrops, a kiss on the cheek

A loyal servant to the people
Five years, a patron to the citizens of the Holy City
Now an angel to the heavens

Look up
Look up fondly
He remains with us always

Go Fund Me for Family of Jared Murphy