How this came to be...

My background has largely been in serving people in groups and as individuals. I have loved and written poetry of various kinds since I was in high school "long, long ago, long ago". Recently I have been impressed by "haiku", and from there, have developed my own style of verse called "haiken". I don't feel I have the right to call my creations haiku.

As an inveterate doodler, I have included doodles to decorate the pages of these three-liners, however, the doodles are not necessarily illustrations of the haiken, though they may express at times some of the author's mood.

A writer that has only seventeen syllables to use in the creation of an article of significant meaning may just toss out a hint or suggestive query in hopes some active, seeking mind may catch it, run with it, and score big for humanity.

This booklet is so different in content, format and purpose from other writings and literature, though in no sense superior, I believe it can be classified as "unique". In hardbound form, it has a transparent plastic cover that gives it a firm quality and protects it from being soiled; the doodles add color (literally); and it contains a personal message and challenge to President Obama and America's charming First Lady.