Lost in a Quatrain

By Adiela Akoo

Lost in a Quatrain is a relatable, inspiring, thought provoking memoir on a journey to becoming, a journey of hope and healing. Cathartically written over 18 years, Lost in a Quatrain is a select collection of deep, must-read, soul stirring poetry with each poem telling a story that pieces together the puzzle of this crazy, not always romantic, experience we call life...

 

Lost in a Quatrain was First Runner Up for poetry in the SAIP Awards 2021. Excerpts from the book have been quoted in a debate in The House of Parliament and the award winning author was nominated as one of the Top 7 Most Promising Literary Influencers in the GBCAwards 2020.

 

With just 48 poems that read like short stories, Lost in a Quatrain is a quick, but deeply contemplative read.

 

Poetry is intimacy between poet and reader. It is revealing your truth and feeling safe acceptance in the unveiling.

 

REVIEWS:

 

- This is not flowery poetry or sonnets of love but one woman's voice that speaks for so many. - Linda McCutcheon, VINE VOICE (USA)

 

- One of the most beautiful poetry collections I have read this year was Lost in a Quatrain by South African author and poet Adiela Akoo. There were many poems that I could relate to and others pertaining to moments in South African history. Lost in a Quatrain includes several deep pieces such as 'Not Enough', 'Broken Winged Bird', 'Are YOU Ready?', 'As the Rain Pitter-Pattered', 'Wrapped Up', just to name a few. There are many and I enjoyed them all. 'Hormona'l is a powerful womanly poem about – you probably guessed it – women's monthly period. I appreciated that Akoo wrote about this and included it in her collection. - NADA ADEL SOBHI - Poet and former Editor-in-Chief of The Muse, Cairo University (Egypt)

 

- 5 STARS: When you truly reflect on life, you come up with such creations. I like the way Adiela (Akoo) has weaved simple poetic stories out of the complex strings of life in which humans remain entangled. From social to soul exploration, all has been done and depicted neatly in this poetic beauty. As a poet, I especially relate to the poetry style that is made very understandable, yet churned out of an ocean's depth. - RUCHIKA PAHWA - Poet (India)

 

- I am so deeply touched by your gift and moved by many of your poems. You are a Tiger Butterfly and this grandma has often been sore! Wise words, deep thoughts, lovely images and through it all shines a loving and perceptive woman. I shall return to it with pleasure and sometimes tears. - DR MARGUERITE POLAND - Award Winning Author of Shades, Sins of Omission, and others (South Africa)

 

- Adiela clearly loves playing with words that flow and dance upon the reader's tongue. Her skilful crafting includes depth, layering, tone, rhythm, vivid imagery and the presence of lived experience often provoking deeper thought. A very versatile poet whose poems linger long after you have read them. - DR EDRIS KHAMISSA - International Motivational Speaker, Author, Educator (South Africa)

 

- I love this book. It touched my heart - Robert Gailey, Amazon Reviewer (USA)

 

- Let's talk about poetry, something which I must read more of in the future because 'Lost in a Quatrain' by Adiela Akoo hooked me from the very first page.…For anyone looking to check out some awesome poetry I would highly recommend this one! - Lee Hall, Author (UK)

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Quilled Ink Press
• Release date: Jan 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393915508

Adiela Akoo

Adiela Akoo is a South African poet and author with a background in banking and comprehensive healing. In her spare time she loves creating art and crafts using mixed media, watching movies, playing scrabble or chess, creating in the kitchen, chatting to the birds out in the garden and the stray cats that have adopted her, among other things. She has been published in a variety of anthologies and journals, won poetry competitions, and was nominated as one of the Top 7 'Most Promising Literary Influencers' in the GBC Awards 2020. A recipient of the prestigious DUX Award, and others, she has represented the Durban UNESCO City of Literature in various collaborations with other cities of literature. She is also the founder and editor of The Quilled Ink Review literary journal and has recently created a line of merchandise. As a passionate ambassador of literacy, she volunteered her time in the position of Vice Chair of the Literacy Association of South Africa, KZN. Lost in a Quatrain, her soul-stirring debut collection of relatable, inspirational and thought-provoking poetry on a journey to becoming, a journey of hope and healing, was cathartically written over a period of 18 years with no initial intent of publishing the collection as a whole.The book was First Runner Up for poetry in the SAIP Awards 2021. Adiela believes that the best thing about being a writer is having the capacity to touch the heart of another being with your words. So it brings her immense joy when readers respond to Lost in a Quatrain by saying, "I love this book, it touched my heart', "This helped my soul heal", "This book made me smile... and cry", "I felt as if you were writing about me", "This is soul food" Visit her website to read her backstory, some of her poetry, and find out more about her.  

Book preview

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Lost in a Quatrain

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Adiela Akoo

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ISBN: 9781393915508

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Lost in a Quatrain

Adiela Akoo

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Acknowledgement is due to the following journal and

anthologies in which versions of these poems first appeared:

Fidelities, Different Horizons, Emotional Journeys

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Copyright © Adiela Akoo 2018

Published by: Quilled Ink Press

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First Edition 2018

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author or publisher

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[e-mail]

[e-mail]

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Cover art and graphics: L. Akoo

Layout: S. Akoo and M.I. Akoo

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MERCHANDISE

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Contents

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Within 

Empty Chairs 

Loop Street 

Mrs DB Martin 

Cape Town 1990 

Patiala vs The South-Easter 

New Apartheid 

Crime Shattered 

Hopelessly Love 

Pre-Natal 

@2pm 

What’s Up? 

Not Enough 

Brasso-ed Lamp 

Feathered Neighbour 

The World Outside My Window 

The Blue Head

Broken Winged Bird 

Redolent 

Seeker 

Coupling  (sonnet) 

Slumber 

Insomnia 

Silent Prayer 

Braced 

Earthbound 

Whiplash 

Oh! Drunken Man! 

Aloof! 

Are YOU Ready? 

as the rain pitter-pattered 

Hormonal 

Dreamland 

Swayed 

Race with the Wind 

Wrapped Up 

Pull of the World 

You are a Woman. You must learn to live with being Sore! 

Something in