Lost in a Quatrain is a very relatable, inspiring and thought provoking read on a journey to becoming, a journey of hope and healing. Excerpts from the book have been quoted in The House of Parliament and the award winning author was recently further nominated as one of the 'Top 7 Most Promising Literary Influencers' in the GBCAwards 2020.
Written over an 18 year period, 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...
Most of the poems in the collection were initially never intended for publishing but written for the poet's eyes only in a cathartic attempt to make sense of the world. It was only after being persuaded by a former English teacher, at a fateful meeting decades later, that thoughts of publishing the collection were planted.
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's revealing your truth and having safe acceptance in the unveiling'
"An impressive debut by Adiela Akoo. Words cleverly woven together, vividly conjuring up pictures, memories and a vast range of feelings. What a priviledge it has been for me to step into each poem and savour its depth"
"...you have found your muse. The poems are beautiful. Though you have drawn from your own experience, most of them are universal and I often thought it could be happening to me... Keep writing."
"...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 (Lost in a Quatrain) with pleasure and sometimes tears."
"Brilliant! 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"
"A clever and well versed anthology. Each poem is threaded into a life story. Everyone can relate to her experiences from childhood to motherhood and the prospect of death. The 'wall' that the poet seems to have built around herself finally collapses as she bursts forth... This anthology leaves you with wanting more - great reading in any weather..."
" ...so elegantly articulated in purity of thought. I was compelled from the first skim to complete the book in one sitting, captivated, as I paralleled your journey of life's questions. This anthology captures your essence of innocence, love, awareness and detail savoured by seekers of 'substance for the soul'..."
"One of the most beautiful poetry collections I've 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."
"I love this book, it touched my heart" 5*****
"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."
Adiela Akoo nominated as one of the Top 7 'Most Promising Literary Influencers' in the Global Book Community Awards 2020"Grateful for this literary journey with my book Lost in a Quatrain"
The poem Whiplash from my debut poetry book, Lost in a Quatrain, was quoted in a speech in the South African House of Parliament. (Excerpt of speech on my website
)"A whipping tongue scathingly lashes a false sense of power failing to reflect that a tongue portrays the character of the possessor" - Adiela Akoo
As You Perceive by Adiela Akoo has won the Poetry in my Mind August 2019 Poem Contest!This poem has been translated into Turkish and Bangla by the kind efforts of poets Hanifi Kaplan and Mizanur Rahman respectively.As the winner, Adiela had to choose the topic for the next contest, and thought it only fitting that the theme should be Environmental Awareness!'Given the current and continued plight of our planet, every voice, no matter how small, helps shed much needed, added light on these matters that affect us all. Earth is our home!'
POETRY CONTEST WINNER APRIL 2020
'VIRUS' by Adiela Akoo wins Poetry in my Mind April 2020 Poetry Contest
Adiela Akoo one of the Judges at the Zee TV Miss India South Africa International Pageant
Adiela Akoo and Lost in a Quatrain at The Madibaland World Literary Festival - the world's LARGEST ONLINE LITERARY FESTIVAL hosted by Booktown Richmond, in partnership with the University of the Western Cape.
The poetry reading session of Adiela Akoo, Emma Neale and Kobus Moolman was moderated byDarryl David.
"If every person that is able to read, finds and teaches someone that is illiterate or struggling with literacy, imagine what a positive impact you can make in that person’s life, and the entire world!.My humble request to you, EACH ONE, TEACH ONE, and give someone the precious gift of literacy!".Adiela Akoo
Adiela Akoo donates Lost in a Quatrain Hamper In an effort to raise much needed humanitarian aid, Whoever spent/donated a thousand rands or more during the fundraising event, held on the 29th of May, had their names included in a lucky draw.The winner, Zaibie Frank, was drawn by the event organisers, on the first of June 2021.
Adiela Akoo one of the 1000 poets, from 139 nations, selected to be a part of the world's largest poetry anthology for peace, 'Songs of Peace', with her poem 'How Long?'. Anthology compiled and published by The League of Poets
Adiela Akoo was one of the 100 writers chosen to be part of a UNESCO International online exhibition, “A City as a Writer's Workplace”, which brought together a hundred photographs and texts from writers all around the world showcasing some of their favourite places to write in any UNESCO City of Literature
Adiela chose a photograph she had taken at a hotel, overlooking the Indian Ocean, in the Durban UNESCO City of Literature, where she was, for the most part, raised and schooled.
The exhibition was organized by the “Ulyanovsk UNESCO City of Literature
“I am Adiela Akoo, a South African poet / writer and author of Lost in a Quatrain. I was raised and schooled in the Durban UNESCO City of Literature but now live in the neighboring Capital city of Pietermaritzburg. The photograph I took is a view from a hotel window along the Durban beachfront, a place I find to be a tranquil and inspiring place to write when I am not writing at home. I'm currently working on my next poetry collection and a collection of short stories ”
Adiela Akoo receives The Siver Star Award from the Global Literary Society for 'excellent contribution to world literature'
Adiela Akoo approached by the editor of SUFI magazine, a monthly publication in Bangladesh, to have her poetry translated into Bangla and published.
"As You Perceive" appeared in the August issue alongside Rumi's "The Guest House'
Poet, Adiela Akoo was nvited as the Guest of Honour at the MSA's opening event of the year and interacted with some promising young poets from the UKZN Pmb campus
In a collaboration with over 20 authors from around the world, Lost in a Quatrain by Adiela Akoo part of a Mega Book Giveaway
The tranquil and breathtakingly beautiful Eden Lassie, Tala Valley, South Africa, served as the perfect backdrop to get Lost in a Quatrain with Adiela Akoo at The Alan Paton Literary Festival.
"...my thoughts
are adrift on the breeze
that gently sways
through the nodding flowers
and rustling leaves...
The greenery and lushness
framed from above and below
by the azure
of the pool and skies
Oh Tranquility!
What beauty to my eyes!"
(Excerpt from the poem 'The World Outside my Window' from Lost in a Quatrain)
The tranquil and breathtakingly beautiful Eden Lassie, Tala Valley, South Africa, served as the perfect backdrop to get Lost in a Quatrain at The Alan Paton Literary Festival this weekend...
It was an honour to be a part of, listen to, and connect with all the speakers/authors over the past couple of days, in a gathering of like minded souls... for the shear love of poetry and literature. Also heartwarming, was watching the finalists, in the children's writing contest, receive their awards on Sunday afternoon
It was indeed an honour to be invited as a guest speaker and to do a poetry reading at this event."
Signing another copy of Lost in a Quatrain, at the Royal Show Grounds yesterday. A big THANK YOU to everyone who came along to say hello and to everyone who picked up a copy. May you enjoy the read
Lost in a Quatrain by Adiela Akoo included in 3 top ten lists of 2019.
1) Nadaness in Motion's Top Books of 2019
2)Author Lee Hall's "Awesome Indie Books I Have Read This Year" List
3) All Author December Cover Contest Finalist: Lost in a Quatrain finishes in the Top Ten from around 300 entrants
Lost in a Quatrain by Adiela Akoo included in 3 top ten lists of 2019.
1) Nadaness in Motion's Top Books of 2019
2)Author Lee Hall's "Awesome Indie Books I Have Read This Year" List
3) All Author December Cover Contest Finalist: Lost in a Quatrain finishes in the Top Ten from around 300 entrants
Lost in a Quatrain by Adiela Akoo a Semi-Finalist in the Book Cover Contest 2019 run by Authorsdb.
"It's crazy at times, thinking how this little book has been making its way around the world..But here we are... this little book that started out as a cathartic writing process, has found its way into the world ... and to the semi-finals in a cover contest ! am deeply grateful to each and every one of you for your love and kind support. Thank you..God bless"
The poem "Pre Natal" from Lost in a Quatrain by Adiela Akoo chosen as Poem of the Day by PoemHunter.comread the poem here: https://adielaakoo.wixsite.com/writer
Poet Adiela Akoo, exclusive interview by veteran South African journalist Farook Khan, on the show "90 Minutes with Farook Khan". Included poetry readings from Lost in a Quatrain
Adiela Akoo's poems "As You Perceive" & "This Heart" translated into Turkish by Turkish poet and Atlihan Hotel chain owner, Hanifi Kaplan
