Miner!

MINER!

Red Thorn

The sweltering heat of a summer afternoon
Sweat drenched my face; where have the clouds gone?

The construction site resounded with the noise of machinery.
Gold and black glitter on both the alluvial and waning sides.

Electric currents shone everywhere.
Waiting for the coal to flow will ease the hardship.

With hard work and dedication, many times
Three shifts, four teams, dust flies high into the air.

Bare back tanned and dry from the harsh sun.
The winding mine shafts hold countless joys and sorrows.

The proud living coal seam
From calloused hands, a greeting filled with mixed emotions.

Scorching sun or biting cold
The miners still maintain their smiles of hope.

A bond of affection that connects hearts.
The beautiful blue shirt remains silently meaningful.

Ha Long Bay at dawn
Mountains and seas shine brightly and abundantly.

That radiant smile from back then
The melodious lyrics overflow with joy.

May 27, 2026

The poem "Miners!" is a sincere and emotionally rich song about coal miners – those who silently labor amidst the harshness of the land and the vast depths of the earth to keep electricity flowing throughout the country. Without elaborate language or heavy figurative language, the poem chooses a simple, familiar yet richly evocative style, vividly portraying the beauty of the coal miners of Quang Ninh – people who possess unwavering willpower, optimism, and a deep love for their profession.

From the very first sentences, the author places the reader in a harsh and intense working environment:

"Blazing, stifling heat of a summer afternoon."
"Drenched in sweat, where have the clouds gone?"

Furnace workers in Mong Duong during their shift. Photo: Duong Phuong Dai

These two lines of poetry evoke the scorching summer sun of the mining region, the stifling heat enveloping the entire construction site. The image of "sweat soaking" not only depicts the hardship of labor but also evokes a feeling of pity and admiration for those who daily face coal dust, machine noise, and the intense heat of the mine. The question "Where have the clouds gone?" is a gentle lament, not a mournful one, but rather highlights the unwavering will of the miners in the face of harsh conditions.

The rhythm of the poem then expands to encompass the entire construction site, with the sounds and colors so characteristic of the coal mining region:

"The construction site resounds with the noise of machinery."
"Gold and black glitter on both the alluvial and waning sides."

The sound of the "thrusting machinery" creates a vibrant rhythm of productive labor, while the image of "glistening black gold" is a powerful metaphor for coal – a precious resource often referred to as the "black gold" of the country. The phrase "on one side, eroding the other" is not only musical but also evokes the relentless pace of life on the construction site, a place where hardships and toil are intertwined with faith and hope.

One of the beautiful aspects of the poem is that the author doesn't just talk about the simple work of coal mining, but also connects the labor of the miners with a profound meaning for life:

"Electric light shines everywhere."
"Waiting for the coal to flow will ease the hardship."

Ships enter the port to load coal at Cua Ong Coal Sorting Company. Photo: Duong Phuong Dai

Coal from the earth is not only an economic product but also a source of energy that brings light to every corner of the homeland. The image of "electricity illuminating everywhere" makes the work of miners even more sacred. It is not just a means of livelihood but also a contribution to society and to the life of the nation. Therefore, the sweat and coal dust on the faces of the miners become all the more precious.

The following verses delve into the arduous and persistent working life of the miners:

"With hard work and dedication, many times"
Three shifts, four teams, dust flying high."

With just a few concise words, the author realistically portrays the relentless cycle of labor in the coal industry. "Three shifts, four teams" is a familiar image of miners – people who work day and night to ensure continuous production. Coal dust covers the space, clinging to their hair, clothes, and faces, but above all, their spirit of enthusiasm prevails. This is what creates the unique beauty of the miner: arduous but not pessimistic, hardworking but always full of willpower and responsibility.

Perhaps the most moving lines in the poem are:

"Bare back tanned and dry from the sun."
The winding mine tunnels hold so much joy and sorrow."

This is a very realistic and authentic image. "Bare back tanned and weathered by the harsh sun" suggests the thin, sun-tanned appearance of a worker after years of arduous labor. But behind that thinness lies the beauty of resilience and silent sacrifice. The line "The deep, dark mine tunnels hold so much joy and sorrow" not only describes the depth of the mine shaft but also speaks of the depth of the miner's life. In those dark tunnels, there is hardship, danger, homesickness, the joy of labor, and the unbreakable bond of camaraderie.

The poem also devotes much emotion to praising the spiritual qualities of the coal miners:

"Scorching sun or biting cold"
The miners still keep their smiles and hope."

This is the noblest beauty of the miners. Whether in the scorching heat of summer or the biting cold of the mine shafts, they maintain their smiles and faith in life. That smile is not only an expression of optimism but also a symbol of resilience and the tradition of "Discipline and Unity," which has become a source of pride for the miners of Quang Ninh province for generations.

Human relationships and camaraderie were also portrayed in a deeply moving way:

"A bond of affection connects hearts."
"The beautiful blue shirt remains silently meaningful."

The simple yet beautiful blue uniform of the workers is striking. It's not just the color of labor, but also the color of youth, of solidarity, and of dedication. The phrase "silent" suggests the quiet, unassuming nature of those who work day and night to contribute to building their homeland.

Towards the end of the poem, the emotion expands into pride in the mining region of their homeland:

"Ha Long at dawn"
"Mountains and seas shine brightly and abundantly."

The expansive and beautiful natural landscape appears as a well-deserved reward for the diligent laborers. Sunrise over the coal region is not only a display of natural beauty but also symbolizes the future, hope, and renewed vitality.

The poem concludes with a cheerful, hopeful tone:

"That radiant smile from back then"
The melodious lyrics overflow with joy.

After all the hardship, what remains is the joy of labor, the pride of contributing, and a deep love for the mining profession. Therefore, the poem is not only a praise of coal miners but also a sincere expression of gratitude to those who are working day and night to enrich their homeland and country.

With its simple, musical style and vivid imagery, "Miners!" has left a beautiful impression of the coal miners – ordinary yet great people. The poem not only holds emotional value but also evokes pride in the glorious labor traditions of the heroic Quang Ninh mining region.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/tho-mo-3409040.html