Doki Doki Literature Club Genderbent

Ghosts (Day 2)

"... Mm... ...." Yuki stares at the poem. A minute passes, more than enough time for him to finish reading.
"Um..." I say.
"Oh! S-Sorry...! I forgot to start speaking... U-Um!" Yuki says panicked.
"It's fine, don't force yourself." I say.
"I'm not... I just need to put my thoughts into words. Hold on... ....Okay. This is your first time writing a poem, right?" Yuki asks.
"Er, yeah... Why do you ask?" I ask.
"I'm just making sure. I guessed that it might be after reading through it." Yuki says lightly.
"Ah, so it's that bad." I say saddened
"No!! ...Did I just raise my voice...? Uu, I'm so sorry..." Yuki buries his face in his hands. I couldn't help but notice that it's been several minutes and we really haven't gotten anywhere. It might take Yuki a while to get used to new people...
"It's fine, I really didn't notice. What were you saying?" I prompt gently.
"Right... um... Its just that there are specific writing habits that are usually typical of new writers. And having been through that myself, I kinda learned to pick up on them. I think the most noticeable thing I recognize in new writers is that they try to make their style very deliberate. In other words, they tend to pick a writing style separate from the topic matter, and they form-fit the two together. The end result of that the style and the expressiveness are weakened."  Once Yuki finds his train of thought, it's as if his demeanor totally changes. His stammering is completely gone, and he sounds like an expert.
"Of course, that's not something you can be blamed for. There are so many different skills and techniques that go into writing even a simple poem. Not just finding them and building them, but getting them to work is probably the most challenging part. It might take you some time, but it comes with practice, and learning by example, and trying new things. I also hope that everyone else in the club gives you valuable feedback. Naruki can be a little bit biased, though..." Yuki says.
"Biased? How?" I ask.
"U-Um... Well... Never mind... I shouldn't be talking about other people like that... Sorry..." Yuki mumbles.
"It's fine." I'm not sure if Yuki is apologizing to himself, to me, or to Naruki.
"Do you mind if I read your poem now?" I ask.
"Please do! I'd love to share my thought process behind it..." Yuki smiles dreamily, as if that's a rare opportunity for him. Which itself is kinda funny... After all, isn't this supposed to be a literature club?
           
            Ghost Under the Light
Ghosts under the light
The tendrils of my hair illuminate beneath the amber glow.
bathing.
It must be this one.
The last remaining streetlight to have withstood the test of time.
the last yet to be replaced by the sickening blue green hure of the future.
I bathe. Calm, breathing air of the present but living in the past.
The light flickers.
I flicker back.

"...I...I'm sorry I have such terrible handwriting! Yuki says.
"What?? I wasn't thinking of that at all..." I say.
"But it took you a long time to read..." Yuki says sadly.
"Ah-- well, I just don't read script very often...I actually think your handwriting is pretty." I say.
"Eh? That's... a relief..." Yuki breaths out.
"Also, I liked the poem. Even though it's short, it was really descriptive." I say.
"It wasn't too short? I usually write longer poems..." Yuki explains.
"Not at all." I say.
"I'm...really glad you like it.
I'll be honest...since it's our first time sharing, I wanted write something a little more mild. Something easy to digest, I suppose." Yuki admits.
"Are you into ghosts, Yuki?" I ask.
Yuki laughs lightly, "Actually, the story isn't about a ghost at all, MC."
"Really? I must have totally missed the point..." I say.
"Well, I suppose you did only glance over it, after all...but remember that poets often express their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences in their work. They usually do more than tell a simple story, or paint a picture. In this case, perhaps the subject of the poem is only being symbolically compared to a ghost. Lingering in her last remaining place of comfort, unable to let go of the past, and soon left with nothing..." Yuki explained.
"...that's a lot more solemn, putting it that way. I hadn't even thought of that...that's impressive." I say impressed.
"It's nothing, really... well... it makes me happy that you think that. just remember that it won't  be long before you pick up on these things, too." Yuki says.
"Yeah, maybe you're right. I guess I'll have to keep trying." I say.
"I'm counting on you." Yuki says.
I hand him poem back, take mine, and walk to Moniko.