A Man Named Merdeka...

Since I'm in such a poetic mood right now, I'd like to share something I found on Mei's website, Teh Tarik Corner. I thought this was cool. She wrote it 7 years ago...

A Man Named Malaysia

Malaysia stands before his cake today

Candle light flickering off his eyes

Pondering a wish, what would he say

A wish to make before the candles die

Searching, from his window he looks out

Accomplished, the toast of South East Asia

The world's tallest tower to shout

And the crown of the Commonwealth next year

He dared venture to fields unknown

Look East, then MSC, next globalisation

So now, a million Protons he owns

And even a rep at the United Nations

Splendid golf courses for a world class tee

Tropical gardens and sunshine beaches

High rises, Penang Bridge and LRTs

The glitz, the fame and all that he wishes

All his dreams he seemed to have achieved

As he reaches his prime age of forty

Wealth, recognition, peace he receives

Yet in him he knows there's uncertainty

Who knows what lies beyond the bend?

Nations plummet, new world rises

What will the next gush of wind send?

For this man named Malaysia

His birthday candles burned down low

Puddles of wax melting at the base

Forty years more, what would he have to show

More of the same or another flavour of the day

His fervent prayers seem a little hollow

And the further he sees, the dimmer the vision

Twenty-twenty, he has everyone to follow

Yet he wonders, could there be a greater Mission?

He shrugs off the questions and braves a smile

The guests are waiting, the children anticipating

Forty years, he pats himself, yes, those are many miles

He squares his shoulders and again begins wishing

Today as you see Malaysia make his wish

Let me ask "Do you have one for him?"

Search your heart and to your children teach

Love Malaysia, he's lovelier than he seems

Wish him prosperity, wish him peace

Wish him blessings, wish him harmony

But much more than all of these

I wish we could all stand in unity

To love and to pray

To bless and to heal

To look to that day

When our Father to him is revealed

He closes his eyes and in a breath he blows

Watched by children with their cheeks aglow

What did you wish they ask and tug at this sleeves

I wished for you, he replies, and takes his leave.