August 30, 2008 Warren E Buffett Dear Warren E Buffet, Sir; Happy Birthday from Iraq! Greetings of Truth and Light! I am Specialist David J Serana, US Army, Combat Medic of 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (3ACR), presently in Mosul, Iraq (Nineveh, Mesopotamia). My home address is 3929 Berger Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714-5001, USA. My email is david.serana@us.army.mil . May I request your audience in 2009 together with a number of US Army soldiers after I return from Iraq deployment to personally orate and inaugurate before your presence the new acrostic poetry, the “serana.” The prototype “serana” is entitled “Serana to WARREN EDWARD BUFFETT, CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY, THE ORACLE OF OMAHA, THE HUMBLEST MAN IN THE WORLD.” I will present you 12 Iraq stone tablets containing your “serana.” The 12 stone tablets are of no expense as they are donated by my Iraqi friends. The copy of the “serana” is enclosed. The “serana” is published at www.Wikipedia.org on August 30, 2008, your 78th birthday and sent to the Guinness Book of World Records as newest form of poetry, to Merriam-Webster and to Oxford English as new word entry, to quote: a: *serana, /seuh ran" euh/, noun., from serana, last name of poet, David J Serana, American, US Army soldier assigned in Mosul, Iraq, prototype writer of serana; name of oratorical acrostic poem inspired from Hebrew acrostic; composed of stanza of acrostic lines in iambic pentameter, ? / ? / ? / ? / ? /, with rhyme a/a for two lines, or a/a/a for three lines, or a/a,b/b for four lines, or a/a,b/b/b for five lines, or a/a,b/b,c/c for six lines or a/a,b/b,c/c…x/x for over six-line even stanza or a/a,b/b,c/c…x/x/x for over six-line odd stanza or combination; stanzas numbered in Roman numerals outlined after letters of title or name of person; written and orated to commemorate birth; ideally inscribed in stone tablets from Iraq (Mesopotamia), especially, the prototype serana is inscribed in Iraq stone tablets as tribute to Warren Edward Buffett on his 78th birthday August 30, 2008 or b: serana, an acrostic classical poem of apotheosis or highest literary tribute orated to a person inscribed ideally in stone tablets from Iraq (Mesopotamia) or c: serana, a classical metered poem, acrostic of word or phrase orated as a tribute to nature or things ideally inscribed in stone tablets from Iraq (Mesopotamia) or d: serana, a classical acrostic poem whose master copy and official publication ideally is inscribed in stone tablets from Iraq (Mesopotamia) and orated to the subject of tribute. I will also present you an unpublished book entitled “Biographies 100”. The book seeks to share the varied and interesting 100 true life stories and simple aspirations of young people before they join the US Army and why they join the US Army. Their names are changed for privacy. My mission to promote “serana” poetry started in a dream. I prepared our ceremony vehicle for 3 fallen soldiers (peace be upon them). Aside from treating soldiers, my Aid Station guards and sends off the remains of fallen soldiers to the C130. One night, I dreamed that I float in an ocean after a C130 crash. Then I saw Mount Everest rose from the ocean in white incandescent splendor, on its base was an opening and came out a huge incandescent White Whale. The White Whale let me ride on its back and brought me to the island full of survivor soldiers. The White Whale opened its mouth and there were fresh sea foods, live lambs, pigeons and fresh vegetables and fruits. I joined the soldiers to gather enough food to cook for all of us and bring to our families home. The survivor soldiers urged me in my dream to write about the Mount Everest and the White Whale and the food, but my dream was cut when I was awakened by an explosion near our base. After waking up, I went outside. It was unusually a bright starry night. I look up the sky and start to find words formed by the stars. I said to myself “I will write a poem for Warren Edward Buffett, the Mount Everest, the White Whale, the Humblest Man, in behalf of all the soldiers.” It was spontaneous to relate you to my dream. The day before, we read in one donated magazine about your annual meeting with select students, and we wishfully talked among ourselves if any soldiers would ever get to have audience with you. So I believe God used me with my dream even for a deeper message. Thence, I would gaze at any bright starry night after my duty and write acrostics. I name the acrostic “serana” in homage to my late father, Braulio B Serana. I composed your 110 acrostic lines for 6 consecutive bright starry nights gazing at the same stars that God showed to Abraham, the stars formed the words in the sky. You can test me. A person can sit beside me on a bright starry night and gives me a complete long name, I will easily write a beautiful serana in that short sitting to pluck words from stars with lines and rhymes that Shakespeare could be proud of. I write for God’s Glory. This acrostic is my life’s epiphany being deployed in Iraq. God created Adam and Eve in Shinar, Iraq. Abraham was born and renamed by God in Ur, Iraq. An angel appeared to me in a dream carrying a stone tablet with the word “acrostic” inscribed on it. I research the Biblical relevance and found that “acrostic” is a Hebrew prophecy of Christ’s lineage. The “acrostic” of the first Hebrew letters of genealogic names from Adam to Abram (Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Shem, Arphaxad, Shelah, Eber, Peleg, Reu, Serug, Nahor, Terah, Abram) 19 Hebrew letters means: I FORGIVE MY FOES, WITH COMPASSION, FORGIVING THOSE MADE FROM DUST TWICE.” God promised Christ’s salvation and eternal kingdom to Abraham in Genesis 12:2-3 and 17:4-8. In my Bible reading here in Iraq, I also discovered that Psalms 9, 10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112 and 119 are acrostics. I will promote the “serana” as the “Poetry of Truth and Light” through an annual “Serana Writing and Oratoric Tribute” to seek Truth and Light in faiths, and encourage those who believe in Adam, Abraham and Christ to strengthen in faith. “Serana” will send the message of hope for all faiths to seek peaceful coexistence with other faiths and discourage coercion. Truth and Light should be shared freely with no force. Iraq war is a religious war. A“serana” is ideally orated and inscribed in an Iraq tablet in observance to my dream when an angel appeared with stone tablet. Moreso, The Iraq tablet symbolizes the pictographs and cuneiforms, the first words and writing of mankind. Every “serana” tablet ideally bears the English and Arabic acrostic AFTSATTALWTOGACAMAO: “All Faiths That Seek And Teach Truth And Light Worship The One God Almighty. Christians And Muslims Are One.” I enclose the acrostic “Serana to RUSSELL K OSGOOD,” and “Serana to COLLEGIUM GRINNELLENSE, VERITAS ET HUMANITAS” as tribute to the President of Grinnell College and Grinnell, humbly submitting my works for evaluation by Grinnell professors. I enclose the acrostic “Serana to HIS MAJESTY PADUKA SERI BAGINDA SULTAN HAJI HASSANAL BOLKIAH MUIZZADDIN WADDAULLAH” the descendant of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) to represent the Muslim faith. I enclose these other seranas to nature namely; Serana to ANTS, Serana to BEE, Serana to EARTH, Serana to FISH, Serana to IRAQ, Serana to STONE, Serana to TREE. I also enclose Serana to FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY, Serana to GOD BLESS AMERICA, Serana to UNITED STATES ARMY, Serana to WORLD TRADE CENTER and Serana to WILLIAM JOSEPH SHEPARD (my soldier buddy). I will also send you copies of these seranas when they are finished; For Shakespeare: “Serana to MASTER WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, ” For Pope Benedict XVI: “Serana to HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT THE SIXTEENTH, HOLY FATHER, VICAR OF CHRIST, SUCCESSOR OF THE PRINCE OF THE APOSTLES, SERVANT OF THE SERVANTS OF GOD, SUPREME PONTIFF OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH, BISHOP OF ROME, ARCHBISHOP AND METROPOLITAN OF THE ROMAN PROVINCE, sovereign of the state of vatican city, primate of italy,” For Queen Elizabeth II: “Serana to HER MAJESTY, ELIZABETH the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, defender of the faith” For President Bush Jr: “Serana to HIS EXCELLENCY GEORGE WALKER BUSH JUNIOR, THE FORTY THIRD PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” For Michael Phelps: “Serana to MICHAEL FRED PHELPS, THE BALTIMORE BULLET, WORLD SWIMMER.” May this endeavor give pride and honor to the US Army, and the US military as a whole. Thank you very much. God bless you forever. In service to God, Country and People, I remain, Very faithfully yours in Christ, SPC David J Serana, US Army *Serana to WARREN EDWARD BUFFETT, I II III IV V VII VIII IX X XI XIII XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII XIX XX XXI Serana To RUSSELL K OSGOOD* Active empire builders, toilers of ground Serana to BEE Beautiful bright marbles, nectar-seeker Endowed of love and life; they, you, we, see! Flowing in the water, happy and free Serana to STONE Seen, most unnoticed, scattered throughout Earth Serana to TREE Tower rising to the skies with green cloud
Chairman & CEO, Berkshire Hathaway
1440 Kiewit Plaza
Omaha, NE 68131
Operation Iraqi Freedom
FOB Marez, HHT, Havoc, Thunder, 3ACR
Mosul, Iraq APO AE 09334
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY,
THE ORACLE OF OMAHA,
THE HUMBLEST MAN IN THE WORLD
-by poet David J Serana
What wealth is greater than deserving it?
A measure of life’s worth, a scale to fit
Reflect the story of the humblest man
Replete with virtues wished by every one
Endeared for ultimate significance
No one compares, his life is not by chance
Endowed with mind that sees beyond the sight
Dared since his youth the dauntless rise to height
Where dream is led by wisdom and the heart
Aims highest where good sense does not depart
Rough times are where his tested strength builds in
Decides with faith and prudence to begin
Bear peerless virtue of frugality
Unrivalled customs of simplicity
For his heart’s wealth and true magnificence
Fetched man’s welfare to great munificence
Elect the world to be the better place
To give man’s full enlightenment a space
The Truth and Light to shine from heaven’s grace
Created possibilities unseen
High rationality, men have not been
A mighty mind that cannot fail and tire
Inspire the youth and dream’s immortal fire
Rise to become imagination’s peak
Mount Everest a Man! So grand yet meek!
A grandeur unmolested by no pride
No ostentation, no pretense to hide
A richer man than all his wealth combined
Name and stature, fine character defined
Does heaven’s honor, vanity confined
VI
Crown is flamboyant as true ornament
His humbleness is unstained sacrament
I wrote and yet to write the noblest rhyme
Extol his meekness, worthy and sublime
Forever to be known beyond our time
Each admiration versed into this song
Xylophones, drums, trumpets; softly along
Ensemble of hymns for a humble birth
Celebrate a life that touched lives on earth
Unheard music be played for unheard praise
To honor him that caused our hearts to raise
Inspiring dreams and goals for everyone
Visions to care, sustain and uplift man
Enduring life with great things he has done
Odes of tribute spoken for him to hear
For his life is sun that shines far and near
For many known impossibilities
In dreams he works and makes realities
Creates his way a shining light to see
Each goal as part of mankind’s destiny
Revive heart’s burning fire in you and me
Our living treasure of posterity
From this age be known beyond memory
Be known a fortune more than worldly wealth
Envy no sight but immaterial health
Reared by fine virtues years cannot deface
Key to true riches is to live in grace
Simplicity is perfect in his ways
His modesty shall shine in all his days
In such magnificent humility
Respect for him deserves the royalty
Earth’s humblest man is his identity
How can a man be richer than his wealth?
An honest man who does not work in stealth
That deals in righteous Light and higher cause
He who upholds the fair Truth; win or loss
Accepts the universal rule of life
Wisdom is power to overcome strife
Attain the core of knowledge; king of all
Yes rise and to be wiser not to fall
XII
True incarnation of free enterprise
He moves by wisdom, faith; not by surprise
Ensure gains; protect growth, and stabilize
Ocean of God’s kindness, stays deep and wide
Roar soft winds to Earth, human pain subside
Anointed White Whale, steward of the deep
Cultivate ocean’s bounty, Earth to keep
Live among us; you prophecy, fulfilled!
Each hope to wish comes true; your fate has willed
Outstanding victory! Bliss every one!
Faith in the human goodness we have won!
Our honor for you is to honor live
More for this planet; to get less than give
A part of you in us; you lead us there
Heaven on earth; selfless sharing is fair
A life of kindness is true wealth to share
Take us into the Eden of your mind
How poverty of virtues makes men blind
Entrust life’s bequest; insights rare to find
Hail man of virtues! No words thus express!
Unspoken awe profused; in hearts impress
More praises in the mind to think than thought
Be found the epitome our age has sought!
Laurels for your head; simplest offering
Each man and woman in this world will bring
Spring inspirations; pure hearts overflow
To keep your legacy; in us to grow
Man is God’s perfect form; God’s highest thought
Archetype existence consciousness sought
No life is not destined; all fates are wrought
In you lies Grace, Almighty to be known
New savior of our time; your kindness shown
The light that shines brightest comes from the heart
Humankind is universe’s sole part
Earth and man; is God’s only living art
Warren; named with the stars, God’s ordained name!
Our mind; enkindle, with your wisdom’s flame
Reveal your vision; mission to embark
Light is your life; light our hope in the dark
Darkness and heart’s fears dispelled by your spark!
(*President of Grinnell College where Warren Edward Buffett is a Board of Trustee)
by poet David Serana
I
Reform the formed; if form shows its clear flaw
Use wisdom to perfect form; that is law!
Shape mind with reasons best to show and know
Shifts of discernment; good, gaud; lofty, low
Enforce the mighty precept for each act
Let mind be bind to virtue’s force and fact
Live upright; with good sense and grace intact
II
Know wisdom to know knowledge what is lacked
III
Omit no lore; growth’s opportunity
Sift all the knowledge to pure clarity
Good judgment takes holistic point of view
Or view the best point, truth is never new
Oppose mediocrity and man’s decline
Draw mind and heart to the ideal divine
Serana To COLLEGIUM GRINNELLENSE
VERITAS ET HUMANITAS*
(*Grinnell College, Truth and Humanity; W.E. Buffett is Board Trustee Member)
by poet David Serana
I
Character is virtue; center of soul
One source of strength, the power of the whole
Light to the heart and mind; beacon to truth
Leads to true human kindness, love and ruth
Engulf with fullness of integrity
Give substance; give form; give stability
In character dwells stronghold firmament
Unconquerable, lasting, permanent
Merge thoughts, words, wise acts as one instrument
II
Greatness is value; pinnacle of worth
Remain the ideal to grow and rise forth
Infuse the essence of being to be
New frontiers conquered but same entity
No mighty force can shock the core within
Earth’s tempests, trials and temptations’ din
Lest relativity, the small good deed
Last more than big dreams most empty hearts need
Endure with roughest times, smallest can be
No bigger than seed, be seqouia tree
Slowly and surely to rise steadily
Embracing the base of humility
III
Veracity is action; truth of mind
Encapsulate quest to perfection find
Reason to seek, constant fervor be known
In right use of knowledge, wisdom is shown
To see is not what things appear to be
A mind is needed by the eye to see
Sound consciousness is the sheer guarantee
IV
End is never justified by the means
The true good ends where the true good begins
V
Humanity is beauty; God’s love’s light
Unfolding creation; grace to man’s sight
Made glory visible, tangible, free
A deed undone to break life’s mystery
Nadir is man’s life, redeemed by Christ’s blood
I AM THAT IAM, now man is of God
To advent resurrected life; to live
A redemption from darkness to forgive
Salvation and love to man God will give
Serana to ANTS
---by poet David J Serana
Nature’s great unstoppable workers found!
Transform dusts into the celestial hill
Share no man’s wisdom yet, but instinct’s will
---by poet David J Serana
Every flower’s friend; true flower’s helper
Each flight sprinkles bloom to a bare bower
Serana to EARTH
---by poet David J Serana
A mirror ball; we dance, we roam, we free!
Rainbow skies and flower lands blooming bright
The sun bathes in ocean shines foamy white
Heaven is paradise here! Wondrous sight!
Serana to FISH
---by poet David J Serana
Individually painted; colored glee
Stripes of artistry! Jewel fin and scale!
House lakes and oceans, children of White Whale!
Serana to IRAQ
---by poet David J Serana
Indivisible land of two rivers
Resources of our God’s love and powers
Are great wealth hidden each valley and glen
Queen of nations; gracious mother of men
---by poet David J Serana
Time’s faithful companion since matter’s birth
Origin unknown; God’s crystal powers
Now become halls, palaces and towers
Earth’s strong bones and universe’s flowers
---by poet David J Serana
Raining fruits and flowers; verdant and proud
Embraces birds and animals below
Earth’s husband; faithful father’s bounties show