Reflections of a Man's Soul

By K. Martai Richardson

This book is truly a reflection of all that’s inside me. It is a summation of a life’s experience and gives a very diverse perspective of how one man views the surroundings around him. It is my hope that anyone who reads this book will be able to connect with the author and see things from his point of view and feel what he felt at the time that he wrote it. I wanted to provide something that will invoke every emotion inside and leave a lasting impression on the reader that will last a long time. Being able to share something this personal and fulfilling to the world is truly a blessing. I can only hope that whoever reads this work will like what they read. So go ahead and crack it open and enjoy . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 31, 2009
• ISBN: 9781469102658

K. Martai Richardson

I was born on July 19, 1980 in Columbus, Ohio. Without the presence of a father, I was the only child raised by two strong women; my grandmother and my mother. I grew up as a military brat as my mom gave 20 years of service to her country. During this time, I lived in various places, both domestic and foreign. This experience of constantly being in different environments and around people of all colors, religions, and backgrounds helped mold me into the person I am today. It gave me the ability to connect to people and see them for who they truly are, and it also provided me the ability to adapt to any situation around me. I am currently serving in the military as a First Lieutenant in the US Army. I reside in Fayetteville, North Carolina as I am stationed at the Fort Bragg military base. I have seen a lot of places and met a lot of people over the course of my life. It has all led to where I am at today and I look forward to where it will lead me in the future.

Book preview

Reflections of a

Man’s Soul

K. Martai Richardson

Copyright © 2009 by K. Martai Richardson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 10/22/2021

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

578078

I

want to dedicate this book to my grandmother, Sarah Ann Bracey, who was definitely an inspir.ation to me in every way possible in the way that she lived her life. She showed me that it was possible to overcome any adversity or obstacle placed in front of me as long as I believed in God and myself. I also want to dedicate this book to my mother-Cynthia Bracey, my extended family, friends, and fellow Soldiers who have all played a role in showing me what true strength and courage is all about. A special dedication goes out to all the Soldiers currently serving overseas. I speak for all those who can’t in saying that we appreciate your sacrifice, we love you all, and we will be waiting with open arms when you safety return back home. Angels watching over you always--^j^ ^j^

Contents

The Calling

Motivation

A Poet’s Dream

Genesis

My Next Kin

G

Kiki’s Soul

The Sum of Man

A Woman’s Beauty

Poetic Math

A Soldier’s Story

My Ebony Rose

A Mother’s Love

Martai’s Soul

The Fallen

The Prayer

The SIGN of a CANCER

The Mirror

Vanity

Pain

Self-Esteem

God’s Children

Human Nature

Mother Nature

No Purpose

Mr. Negative

The Fury

Lani’s Tears

What Do Women Want?

A Hero’s Mark

The Essence of a Man

The Prayer II

Freestyle Poetry

Freestyle Poetry II

Follow the Leader

Never Change

Real Enough

Real Women

When Love Turns its Back

A Time to Shine

A Warrior’s Heart

The Stars

My Love

The Dilemma

The Hustler

The Burning

True Friends

Venus

Where I Come From

The Vision

A Remembrance

August 14th

The Revelation

The Prayer Finale

The Calling

I wanted to take a little bit of your time,

To express the concerns on my mind

Where my potential was once beginning to climb,

You have given me the opportunity to make it shine

An opportunity that I must not waste,

A chance to amend some mistakes

Mistakes that define my imperfections,

But strengthen my human convictions

A human heart is a heavy burden to bear,

But I’m willing to carry it under your care

You gave me a message that must be heard,

But will they hear it?

You have shown me a door towards success,

But will I open it?

If my mind is obscured by thoughts of failure,

Then motivation becomes my savior

That is why I’m turning to you for support,

To end this conflict within myself

I feel your presence as I walk down this new path

With your guidance placed in my grasp

I’m ready for the curtains of my destiny to rise,

So I can see its true form

The stage of my salvation is set,

And I’m ready to perform . . .

Motivation

Someone once said,

A closed mouth does not get fed

So if you hunger for knowledge,

Why won’t you swallow it?

If you have a dream,

Why won’t you follow it?

What makes someone build a life,

Without the proper tools?

You want to teach,

But don’t want to learn

You want to write books,

But don’t know how to read

You want to lead,

But don’t know how to follow

How can you fly if you don’t develop the wings?

But yet, you keep coming up

With these empty dreams

You’re scared to die but won’t live your life

How can you succeed if you never try?

When all that’s needed is heart and desire

And a determination to aspire

To set goals that make you reach higher,

And pave the road for those whom

You will inspire

When the only threat to a dream

Is the person who dreamt it

The enemy inside us all

That makes us all fall,

But is necessary to see

How hard we must work to achieve

By turning desolation into inspiration,

Our isolation becomes our motivation

A Poet’s Dream

Hot sweat sticks my hand to the page

Dried tears cloud my eyes

The pen rattles between my fingertips

A dream is on the rise

A writer’s block impedes the expression of my path

A path that is captured

Within the eyes of a child

It’s a growth from uncertainty to clarity

A spark of hope that flames into