Adiela Akoo

Pledged

Long, long ago
you pledged your heart
etched your eternal love
causing you to constantly
keep washing up at my feet
like a half-forgotten
mystical message
in a bottle, cast into the sea
of souls, centuries ago!

Our paths constantly, curiously crossing
in a predetermined puzzle of perplexities
leaving us pondering, on the part played
by Providence - and the most loving hand
on a heart, etched with initials
carved into an ancient, magical tree
that still stands somewhere, bearing witness
long after the bodies, bearing initials
became fodder for its roots!

Lifetime after lifetime
we're magically, momentarily
drawn together, to decipher
soul memories, we vaguely recall...

Sweet Earth

I bow my head upon thee, Sweet Earth,
In praise of the One who made you,
Made me …

And when they deliver me into your arms,
Embalmed in white cotton,
Please remember… 

ADIELA AKOO

ADIELA AKOO is an emerging South African poet and author. Apart from writing, she has a background in banking and comprehensive healing and in her spare time loves creating art and crafts using mixed media, watching movies, playing scrabble or chess, creating in the kitchen, or chatting to the birds out in the garden, among other things. She has been published in a variety of anthologies and journals including Best of Africa, Best Emerging Poets of 2019, Best New African Poets of 2020, The Penmen Review, Fidelities, Universul Culturii, 25 Years of Freedom, ILA, OPA, and others. Her poem “Whiplash” was quoted in The House of Parliament. She was nominated as one of the Top 7 ‘Most Promising Literary Influencers’ in the GBC Awards 2020. She is a recipient of the prestigious DUX Award, a recipient of The Silver Star Award, and has represented the Durban UNESCO City of Literature in collaborations with other cities of literature. Lost in a Quatrain is her soul-stirring debut collection of relatable, inspirational and thought-provoking poetry on a journey to becoming, a journey of hope and healing. Her book was First Runner Up for poetry in the SAIP Awards 2021.