Early spring, met writer Son Tung, understood more about the poem "Torch of Life"

(Baonghean) –During the early spring, I and teacher Hoang Dao Chuc visited writer Son Tung by appointment so that the writer could provide a poem about the heroic martyr Le Van Tam, which he had memorized since he was a member of the propaganda team after the August Revolution, when he was 18 years old, still in the prime of his youth.

The author (left) with writer Son Tung

In addition to a number of young writers, the "Chieu Van" that day also had writer Hoang Kinh (born in 1933), who was a volunteer soldier fighting on the Lao battlefield.

At the age of 82, writer Son Tung is still healthy and mentally sharp. He pointed to a stack of newspapers: “Ho Chi Minh City Literature and Arts Weekly”:
- I regularly follow articles about Le Van Tam, because of the convincing evidence, the right viewpoints and attitudes, and respect for historical truth, for heroes who sacrificed themselves for the country.

After a moment of contemplation, he became excited, his eyes seemed to be on fire:
- It has been many years but I can never forget the memories of the art performances in Dien Chau - Nghe An and many other places serving the army units and the people. The poem "Living Torch" was always requested to be recited many times, the reciter and the listener could not contain their emotions, many could not hold back their tears. Then he raised his voice loudly:

"That noon Saigon was filled with hatred
Gritting teeth listening to the sound of enemy footsteps
He stood with his arms crossed, waiting with a heavy heart.
Time to save the country, now is the time to save the country
He looked down, his clothes were soaked.
The smell of gasoline is intoxicating and majestic.
In the distance, the golden stars flutter
Gunshots echoed from Cau Ong Bridge.
Every gunshot is a young person
Stand up and fall down like me
The heart is filled with the blue soul
Why is it so hot inside me?
He set fire to the man with wings of fire.
He rushed into the middle of the oil depot.
The red fire rose higher and higher…”

I was extremely surprised, because this was also the poem that the ancient Vietnamese researcher Do Van Xuyen, born in 1937, read to me at the end of 2009 and confirmed that it was the poem "Immortal Fire" printed in the newspaper "Quan Bach Dang" of Military Region 3 and that he had heard soldiers recite it many times during those days in his hometown Thai Binh. Thus, this poem was printed in many newspapers at that time with different names, widely circulated throughout the army and all classes of people.

Writer Son Tung was moved:
- Later, when I went to the South and met the old commandos, they told me about the organization of the attack on the fuel depot at that time. They discussed for a long time how to attack effectively, because the French army was guarding very strictly. There were a few children who still went every day to sell roasted peanuts and shine shoes to grasp the enemy's situation, volunteered to take on the task, because they were young, the enemy did not pay attention, easily creating a surprise.

Writer Hoang Kinh added:
- I was born in Laos. In those days, not only volunteer soldiers, but also overseas Vietnamese in Laos and Thailand often recited and passed it on to each other. Until now, I still know by heart the poem that writer Son Tung just read. The example of Hero Le Van Tam's sacrifice for the country has given us faith in the inevitable victory of the country.

I boldly asked writer Son Tung:
- Dear writer, what is your opinion when recently some people said that Le Van Tam is a fictional character, and even wanted to take down his statue at Le Van Tam park in Ho Chi Minh city?
- Those who have such opinions, regardless of their position, are people who do not have a thorough understanding of the nation's history. Even if this is not a real character, it has become a historical figure. Denying and erasing this historical figure is a crime against the country, erasing the faith of an entire nation in a painful yet heroic period filled with revolutionary optimism. We Vietnamese are proud to be descendants of the Dragon and Fairy, descendants of the Hung Kings. The beautiful images of those who have contributed to the country such as Saint Giong, along with many national heroes who are revered by our people as gods, saints, and tutelary gods, will live forever with the country, fueling the flame of faith for future generations to live, fight, protect and build the country.
He laughed happily:
- France is extremely proud of Victor Hugo's character Gavrochet. Yet they have searched for his background to see what kind of person he was and who his descendants are. It's not that they don't understand history, but because the image of that character has been deeply ingrained in the subconscious and emotions of every citizen and has become a symbol of the patriotism of the entire nation. So why do we have to spend so much time dissecting and tracing the origin of Hero Le Van Tam, when the image of "The Living Torch Boy" has become a symbol of the patriotism of the nation, becoming the flame in the heart of every true Vietnamese person?

From left to right: Teacher Hoang Dao Chuc - president of the "Association of People Who Love and Respect World Cultural Celebrities Nguyen Trai and Scholar of Rites Nguyen Thi Lo"; writer Son Tung; director of Trang An Cultural Center - Bui Phuc Hai; writer Hoang Kinh.

- Dear writer, on the threshold of the new spring, do you have any message for the young generation?
- Our country is on the path of opening up and integration, opening up a new opportunity for the country and each person. This year is a very special year, celebrating the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long - Hanoi. I wish you young people good health, wisdom and to always nurture and care for the fire in each person's heart. That is the fire of love, life; the fire of belief in yourself and the bright future of the nation. That fire was lit by our ancestors with the blood of many generations, each of us must be responsible for caring for that fire to burn forever. That immortal fire will help us to correctly perceive the past, present and future, master ourselves, overcome all obstacles, build a civilized, modern country with a strong national identity.
I suddenly remembered my grandson who was studying at Le Van Tam Primary School. Every afternoon, waiting at the school gate to pick him up, I often heard a song praising the young hero. It was the song: “Le Van Tam” by musician Phong Nha, which moved me and I still remember the song: “I remember most a story from the past, in the South, one day suddenly the enemy’s fuel depot burned to the ground. Who was the first to make this heroic achievement? At the age of 13, his name was Le Van Tam. The bright living torch lit the way for our team to advance quickly. Today, here, surrounded by a red fire, the fire flickered as if calling your name”. The heroic melody of the song has entered the hearts of many generations, contributing to fostering patriotism and revolutionary heroism. Even when the country was at peace, it was extremely necessary. When I expressed my thoughts, writer Son Tung nodded in agreement.

-Thank you, writer. Happy New Year, I wish you good health, longevity, and continued publication of many new works!

Tran Van Hac