STORIES FROM THE LITERARY AND ARTS VILLAGE: A diary written in verse.

In the literary history of Thai Nguyen, there is an unforgettable field trip. It was a visit to the Thanh Mai Reforestation Team in the former Bac Thai province. It's unforgettable because it was recorded in a poetic diary. Each person contributed a line to create it. However, since the poetic diary was written... orally at the time, it has been somewhat distorted over time. Therefore, the author of this article would like to take the liberty of slightly "historically" rewriting it, also for the purpose of amusement.

In the literary history of Thai Nguyen, there is an unforgettable field trip. It was a visit to the Thanh Mai Reforestation Team in the former Bac Thai province. It's unforgettable because it was recorded in a poetic diary. Each person contributed a line to create it. However, since the poetic diary was written... orally at the time, it has been somewhat distorted over time. Therefore, the author of this article would like to take the liberty of slightly "historically" rewriting it, also for the purpose of amusement.

Illustration: Dao Tuan

The trip was quite large: Ma Truong Nguyen (group leader), Minh Hang (poetry), Minh Son, Mai Viet, Ho Thuy Giang (prose), Son Lam (play, who passed away in 1986 at Ho Nui Coc Lake) and many others.

The group set off from Thai Nguyen city in a truck (back then, having a truck to travel in was a blessing).

From the very first day someone started a poetry diary:

The weather is beautiful this afternoon, with clouds drifting by.

The back of the truck was full of writers.

The car has broken down several times.

The sky, which had been bright, suddenly began to darken.

It was indeed pitch dark when the group arrived at Bach Thong district town.

Perhaps the person assigned to receive the delegation had gone home too late (there weren't convenient telephones like today). They were left unemployed. The most worried person was Ma Truong Nguyen. Where would they eat, where would they sleep? While he was anxiously agonizing over this, he suddenly saw Cao Dong, a department head from the district, wandering aimlessly down the street. Although it wasn't his duty, Cao Dong, being a great lover of literature, invited the delegation to stay at his office. Ma Truong Nguyen felt a great weight lifted off his shoulders.

The poetry diary was immediately resumed:

It was only when I was almost unconscious that I arrived at Bach Thong.

Luckily, I met the enthusiastic Cao Dong.

Although it was a bit sudden.

But the feast of food and drink was still lavish.

At night, you have a home.

There's water for washing your face, and tea to enjoy.

The next morning, Cao Dong volunteered to lead the group to the Thanh Mai Reforestation Team. Minh Hang, being the youngest, and Ho Thuy Giang, who suffered from motion sickness, were given priority seating in the cabin. The poetry diary continued to flow:

The road to Thanh Mai is bumpy.

Minh Hang nearly broke both collarbones.

Thuy Giang looks so withered.

How can I still get motion sickness sitting next to a beautiful woman?

Thanh Mai has arrived. Be... be...

The green forest resounds with the calls of goats.

The officers and workers of the Thanh Mai reforestation team welcomed the delegation with great enthusiasm. Several goats were slaughtered at once. It was as joyful as a festival.

During the drinking session (a combination of food and socializing), Cao Dong kept saying, "Let me introduce to you all in the team, our group of artists and writers has a poet named Ma Truong Nguyen, who graduated from Nguyen Ru University" (being from Thai Binh, Cao Dong had a slight pronunciation). Many workers didn't understand what "Nguyen Ru University" was, but since the district official said so, it must have been a very prestigious school.

The next day, the field research began.

Mai Viet, intending to write an essay about the Thanh Mai team, meticulously researched and carried a notebook with him wherever he went. Minh Hang wrote poetry, occasionally looking up at the lush green forest canopy before her with an unusual sense of emotion. Son Lam was planning to write a fierce play about fighting illegal logging, so he asked everyone he met, "In fighting against illegal loggers, did you ever have to shed blood?" Minh Son said that a short story had already formed in his mind upon arriving in Thanh Mai. And Ho Thuy Giang, although a prose writer, suddenly developed a fondness for reading poetry upon arriving in Thanh Mai. So someone immediately started "keeping a diary":

Mai Viet walked with unsteady steps.

Thousands of data points were also recorded in the notebook.

Minh Hang's cheeks were flushed.

The poem seems to be intoxicated along with the forest.

The mountain forest was filled with a vibrant energy.

Wherever they see blood, they rush in immediately.

Minh Son felt like he was in heaven.

The four short stories have appeared (present) brilliantly.

Thuy Giang recited a poem for a while.

Tears suddenly streamed down my face.

Only Ma Truong Nguyen stood upright like a lamppost, spoke little, rarely smiled, and had a serious expression like Tang Monk. Perhaps it was due to his position as the leader of the group, and having "studied at Nguyen Ru's school," that he couldn't help but be so dignified.

On the 5th, the delegation said goodbye to the Thanh Mai reforestation team. We will always remember the Thanh Mai reforestation team.

Cao Dong saw the group off at the car, his heart heavy with indescribable sadness, almost in tears. He recently wrote in his diary:

On the 5th, they left Bach Thong.

Even though the person is gone, my heart still rejoices.

Does Cao Dong want to come along?

The moment of farewell brought a wry smile to his lips.

That was a real trip that took place over forty years ago. Now, I wonder if there are any trips as enjoyable as that one?

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-nghe-thai-nguyen/doi-song-van-nghe/202604/chuyen-lang-van-nghe-nhat-ki-viet-bang-tho-c545557/