My country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty...

of thee i sing.

Being Malaysian, I've always envied somewhat all the things that Americans had; and revered all that it stood for.

The land of equal opportunities, peace and freedom. The place where numerous have set out to, duped to think that it's a modern day Babylon or Utopia.

No doubt there's more of everything there. No doubt the skies seem sunnier in California.

Although sometimes I envy that a friend who works as a supermarket salesman there earns more in a week than I do in a month, although I fervently wished my national song was more melodious when I see Americans put their hands to their heart and sing the Star Spangled Banner.

I pity them for their pride. I pity them for all they have but do not see and all that they've ruined but failed to miss.

After all, when life is through, you're only allowed non-physical baggage check-ins.

"Welcome to the Hotel California...
Such a lovely place...
Such a lovely face."

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Yasmin Ahmad wrote an insightful piece of poetry titled America. Read it!