I really loved your game, especially the aesthetic! It really gives off that gameboy, old school Pokemon kind of vibe. I think sound effects could really help immerse the player even more into that kind of feel - I hope you continue expanding on this idea! :)
Also, I think it's very possible for the player to miss out on the poet's location. Maybe he could be somewhere closer to the player's initial position, or the next area could be closed off until you talk to him?