SPILL BOOK REVIEW: DAVID J HASKINS – RHAPSODY, THRENODY & PRAYER

DAVID J HASKINS – RHAPSODY, THRENODY & PRAYER

FONOGRAPH MEDIA

BOOK REVIEW BY AARON BADGLEY

Rhapsody, Threnody & Prayer is a short book of poetry by former Bauhaus/Love And Rockets bassist David J. Out of respect, and in honour of his mother, he is now going by his full name, David J Haskins. This book is a companion to his new album The Mother Tree. It is a collection of poems he has been writing over many years, and it is divided into three sections, as noted in the title, Rhapsody, Threnody & Prayer.

The collection of poems revolves around loss, of people he had  known, of times long gone, his mother and people Haskins admired. It is a short but powerful collection, and one that is absolutely personal to Haskins. Sharing poetry is a very brave thing to do. It is one thing to write lyrics, but once the poems are collected in a book, they are in print for all to read, examine, critique, dissect and explore. Haskins needn’t have worried, he is a gifted poet with a knack of stringing words together in a beautiful and almost musical manner.

He employs different styles of poetry throughout to assist with the meaning and direction of the poem. For example, “Anger (A Film)” is written as if it were a film script. It is still a wonderful poem, and written in such a way that the style helps drive the point home. He invokes old Hollywood with modern day L.A. gangs but there is much more here than meets the eye. Each poem needs several readings to fully grasp the message Haskins is conveying.

THE MOTHER TREE ALBUM REVIEW

The section titled Threnody, is a collection of poems that read like elegies and express the loss of someone. “The Mother Tree” is an incredible poem dealing with the loss of his mother. The lengthy poem is a beautiful tribute to his mother, and many readers will be able to relate. Four simple words… “I miss your laugh” says a great deal and tug at the heartstrings. Elsewhere he writes eloquently about Jeff Buckley, Ella Fitzgerald, Kurt Cobain and even Beale Street.

The last section of poems, ‘Prayer’ is, again, an apt title. Here Haskins is searching and looking for, maybe not answers, but reason. It is the shortest section, and in some ways the most powerful. He invokes strong images of spirituality but in such a way that is entirely unique. Haskins is not [reaching, far from it, but rather expressing his observations and questions. The last poem in the book, “Cure” has echoes of “All You Need Is Love”. “Let me in, To becalm you”, Haskins writes. “Let me smooth the crease”. In the end, the answer or remedy of everything is being with one you love and who loves you back.

Rhapsody, Threnody & Prayer is a remarkable book of poetry. These are not lyrics to songs, but stand alone poems that have been collected into one volume. One can only hope there is more to come, as Haskins has a real gift in writing prose. It is also the perfect companion to not only his new album, The Mother Tree, but also for those who are up at 3.00 am looking for company.

PURCHASE RHAPSODY, THRENODY & PRAYER VIA EROTOTOX RECORDINGS HERE