Don't Make it Difficult
I like sad songs—
death, longing and love
wrapped in bubblegum
Most sing along blind—
swaying hips, tapping toes
unaware they're in the throes
Not long ago I was doing a random writing prompt search one afternoon and came across the following-
Prompt: Playing with word meanings (https://nadjamaril.com/2024/10/14/creative-writing-playing-with-word-meanings/)
The word I chose was bubblegum. I’ve always enjoyed songs that initially sound light and sweet, but upon further listen are anything but… my mind jumped to Velvet Underground’s Who Loves the Sun.
What Inspires You
Book: The Creative Act—Rick Rubin
“Daily Rattle” poem-a-day from Rattle.org archives
The Muse Writers Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and your tax-deductible donation will help us continue to grow and serve the literary community. www.the-muse.org
Lately: Albert Camus, Rhett Miller’s Wheels Off podcast
Bio
Roy N. Mason documents his experiences, observations, and lessons learned in personal essays and poetry. In his free time, Roy can be found trying to synchronize the clocks in his kitchen. His work has been curated in The New York Times: Tiny Love Stories and several journals. He can be found at https://www.chillsubs.com/profile/roynmason
Find the Spring 2026 Issue HERE
Previous NPM 2026 poets
| April 1 | Amy Forstadt |
| April 2 | Annette Sisson |
| April 3 | Beth Kanell |
| April 4 | Bonnie Proudfoot |
| April 5 | Charles Stringer |
| April 6 | D. Dina Friedman |
| April 7 | David Colodney |
| April 8 | Deanna Ludwin |
| April 9 | Eileen Pettycrew |
| April 10 | Felice Alexandra |
| April 11 | Grace Massey |
| April 12 | Hallie Fogarty |
| April 13 | Isabel Cristina Legarda |
| April 14 | Jon Yungkans |
| April 15 | Kim Welliver |
| April 16 | Laura Foley |
| April 17 | Laurie Kuntz |
| April 18 | Marissa Glover |
| April 19 | Michelle McMillan-Holifield |
| April 20 | Miriam Sagan |
| April 21 | Roy Mason |