According to The Paper on 13/4, Wang Jibin is one of this year's Jiangsu Province Advanced Worker awardees, known on social media by the nickname "Poet Shipper".

Born in 1969, Wang Jibin completed junior high school and worked various jobs, including construction worker and street vendor. For over 10 years, he has been a delivery driver. The seeds of literature began to grow in Wang Jibin when he was under 20, while working with a construction crew. Discovering a free book lending stall, Wang Jibin read every book he could borrow, gradually developing the desire to write prose and poetry.

Wang Jibin on his delivery route. Photo: Xinhua

To date, he has composed over 6,000 poems and published three collections: Tay nam mot luong sang, Nguoi duoi theo thoi gian, and Toi vung ve yeu the gioi nay. In March, he released his fourth book, Thanh Tran, named after his late mother.

Throughout his years of earning a living, Wang Jibin regards poetry as a sweet candy that helps him balance his emotions. "Being a shipper is hard work, like bitter medicine taken daily. Poetry, however, is the candy that melts in your mouth after taking the medicine", he said.

Most of his works stem from Wang Jibin's experiences on the job. Ideas might come to him when he stops his vehicle at a red light or takes a nap at noon. At such times, he quickly jots down poetic thoughts on paper or his phone.

One of Wang Jibin's most widely circulated poems is Nguoi duoi theo thoi gian, which originated from an unpleasant delivery experience. On that occasion, the customer entered the wrong address, and Wang Jibin took several detours before finally delivering the order. However, the customer rated the shipper with "poor attitude", causing him to not only lose money but also miss another order.

Wang Jibin and his poetry collection "Nguoi duoi theo thoi gian". Photo: The Paper

On his way home, Wang Jibin wrote: "From air chasing wind, from wind chasing blade, from bone marrow chasing fire, from fire chasing water. The time chaser knows no four seasons, only this stop and the next".

Jibin said that after writing, he felt more at ease, and composing poetry helped him "reconcile with himself". In July 2022, poet Tran Trieu Hoa shared Wang Jibin's poem Nguoi duoi theo thoi gian on Weibo, attracting over 100,000 likes, and the number of followers for Wang Jibin's poetry topic reached over 26 million.

In his poem Chay theo don, the poet writes: "Utilize every gap. Life is often as flat as a wooden board. Shippers are sharp nails. Only when straight can a nail be firmly driven into every corner of life. A bent nail is broken. Any bent nail will be discarded, or must endure a harsher hammering to straighten it again. Life is like household items; each one needs many straight nails".

Wang Jibin's verses resonate with many workers rushing in the daily grind of life. One reader wrote on a forum after reading his book: "His poetry pierces the hearts of those jostling on the subway, enduring grievances with silent patience, or those who occasionally call their parents and say 'I'm fine'".

Since gaining fame, Wang Jibin's life has changed. He has been invited to participate in poetry programs, awards ceremonies, television shows, sales livestreams, and advertisements.

As attention waned, Wang Jibin returned to his daily routine, running a grocery store with his wife, working as a shipper, and writing poetry and prose. His works always carry the essence of everyday life. Jibin once wrote the poem Tieu biet ly for his wife:

"Your mother arrived, you leaned on her, returning to the image of a young maiden. You called her 'Mom', your voice still sweet as if returning to childhood. Tonight I'll sleep in the living room, you sent me an icon, whimsical like an illustration in a book. You said, 'hey old devil, don't forget to take your medicine, two yellow pills, one white pill'".

Nghinh Xuan