Translations of poems by three contemporary Chinese poets

Those Who Work in the Fast Delivery
— Dark Green Flows to Every Direction

By Wang Erdong

Aside from joy, there should also be in the mail
Orchard, rivers, green hills and the dream of a deep sleeping boy
Flying birds will open it, spring will funnel in
Then rush to streets to say happiness to strangers
Carton boxes thrown away carelessly
Have been carried up on the branches by birds
in their bills to build new nests
I looked up from under the tree, while couriers walked past me
The world started to flow amid their carrying
It looks like a big river, the express mails are tiny boats
Which can tell romantic stories and stand the green sway of water
All express mail today would be delivered to tomorrow
They have to let in lights even though they are airtight
The light is the stars, flowers and white snow all over the sky
They are clear water and green hills for generations

(Wang Erdong, born in Wudi, Shandong province, is a poet who writes about industrial development and is under contract to the Shandong Provincial Writers Association. He is also employed in the express delivery market. He has published several poetry collections, including Express China and The Village of Donghe Xiying. Wang has received numerous accolades, including "Poet of the Year" at the 4th Thatched Cottage Poetry Awards, the 3rd Red Sorghum Poetry Award, and the 30th Cherry Blossom Poetry Award. He participated in the 36th Young Poets' Meeting organized by the Poetry Periodical (Shi Kan), China's most eminent magazine for poetry.