Another Year

Soon another Merdeka Day will dawn on us.
How has the progress of the past year as far as the nation and its ipact on you, plain Citizen Joe and Jane -- been? Good, Bad, Average?

I would be happy to hear EXCELENT, anyone?
Yes, it's another year since Desiderata and a team of bold bloggers ventured into trying our First Essay Series on Merdeka Day.

This is a call to fellow Bloggers, olde (like one year-plus if that qualifies!), new (like maiden visitors in the last seven days?) and not-so-olde & not so nu'e -- the majority of my ER here -- to join the 49th Merdeka Day celebration penning your thoughts. In Prose or in Poetry, it's okay. To each his/her own -- from your olde/young and infan perspectives, I'm again 100% democratic for the next seven days -- so the deadline is: Aug 24, 2006 but stretchiung it a little till 28 Aug, 2006 allowing accomodation for "last minute" adrenaline-flowing at max writers, including Desi himself!

For a flashback to last year's writes, go to Desi's archives of well nigh end-August 2005.

Seriously, please send me an Essay themed "My Merdeka Wish for NegaraKu", Okay!

My email: chongyl2000@yahoo.com,
and No, i don't pass on entries to the SP for approval. SP is for Special Pranch; is there such a word? You ask Desi, who do I ask?:(
Furthermore, this is not desiderata.english sundae!:)


mGf, Libbie, sent me a poem specially to mark the passage of almost 365 days.
Yes, the "mean" time of most EsteemedReaders to Desii's Place is apyly A Year and that calls for a Moment of Reflection -- for Me, you and Our Country.
I've used this Blog to help \grow NegaraKu along lines of Reason,and Rational Discourse, transcending Race, Colour or Creed, beyond Gender and Age too.

It has been a fulfilling journey.
And a greater part of this fulfilment comes from my fellow travellers.
Let's continue this Enjoyable Journey towards National Building,
for a Truly Progressive Advanced Country Status,
More in Towering Spirit and Expansive Mindset than in
Skyrising buildings and August infrastructure.

Another Year

by Libbie Richman

Yesterday is behind closed doors
Sometimes I wish it could be restored;
Today is rushing past
Moments that will not last,
Tomorrow you will wonder where time went
As the hours are spent.

Hold on to your expectations
Plunge ahead without reservation,
When doubts cause you to shed a tear
Just think how lucky you are to be here
To conquer yet another year.

Out of the past we came
Taking with us moments that can't be rekindled
again;
Minutes that were sometimes nasty
Others that were nice,
Love affairs that were fire
And relationships that turned to ice.

When you expect too much of today
When you long for a moment from yesterday
When things don't seem completely clear
Just think how lucky you are to be here
To conquer yet another year.

Like the shadow of water caressing the sands
Like the gentle touch of a friends hand
Like the sun that kisses the mountain top
Days move ahead, taking the hours away,
And the minutes can't be held by any clock.

Take your dreams into tomorrow
From what you've learned you can borrow;
Cherish what is sublime
The hours that are yours and mine,
And think how lucky we are to be here
To conquer yet another year.

Like a love that does not possess
But fills with joy each empty recess
We are given seconds not to use in vain
To follow the sunset till the sun rises again;
So while the path is not always clear
Just remember always how lucky you are to be here
To conquer yet another year.