Poet Who Vanished 43 Years Ago Comes Alive

One of Nigeria’s revered poets, Soji Simpson will on April 8 at the Agip Recital Hall, Muson Centre, Lagos, at 11am present the collection of his poems titled ‘Meditations’.

Simpson’s Mediations, is a collection of poems across diverse genres (odes, lyrics, ballads, sonnets) that speak to the breadth and depth of his craft.

A thespian, poet, and playwright, Simpson wrote over 70 poems between 1958 and 1961 while he was a student at the Lagos Baptist Academy and King’s College, Lagos. He also wrote five plays (Too much too soon, The Vogue, If I forget thee, His Master's Voice, The Mirage), which were performed by his Neighourhood Players, a troupe founded and directed by him.

One evening in August 1974, Soji Simpson mysteriously vanished whilst he was rehearsing Rasheed Gbadamosi’s play, ‘Behold my Redeemer’. He has not been seen since.

Decades after, his younger brother, Femi, has unearthed the manuscript of Meditations and breathed life into it.

Meditations is a living testament to Soji Simpson’s genius; an indication of what was and a glimpse of what could have been.

Meditations as a collection of poems will sit well for individual pleasure. It should also make its way into the classroom as a worthy collection deserving closer scrutiny.