Comment from ~Dovey

Excellent

Hi Craig -

I've never heard of a snowflake being referred to as the hand of God at work before, which is funny, since I'm about to be surrounded by snow for the next several months. Perhaps, it is all that more mysterious when you don't see much of it?

Your syllables are all in the correct places. I would take your first line to be the satori line, so you have all of the haiku elements, including a seasonal reference.

Good luck in the contest!

Kim

 Comment Written 26-Sep-2017

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reply by the author on 26-Sep-2017

It's a pretty common argument used in favour of "intelligent design", Kim. Thanks for the good wishes, Craig

Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Excellent

CD,
This is a thought provoking haiku. Good job on its style. Your lines read well. The picture is supportive, but your words speak for themselves, too. Best wishes in the contest. Jan

 Comment Written 26-Sep-2017

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reply by the author on 26-Sep-2017

Thanks for the good wishes and kind comments, Jan. Craig

Comment from Teri7

Excellent

This is a very nicely written haiku you have penned for the contest. You used very good descriptive wording and very good imagery. Best wishes in the contest. Teri

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2017

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reply by the author on 25-Sep-2017

Thanks, Teri, for the kind words and the good wishes. Both are much appreciated - Craig

Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

I like the concept of your interesting haiku and, yes, I do think a Deity planned it that way. The uniqueness of each small snowflake shows profound attention to detail. Marilyn

 Comment Written 24-Sep-2017

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reply by the author on 24-Sep-2017

Thanks, Marilyn. I'm not keeping a tally, but I suspect you're on the majority side there. Cheers, Craig.

reply by BeasPeas on 24-Sep-2017

Hi Craig. Each is entitled to his own belief so either one is ok in my book. Snowflakes are beautiful no matter what--a moment of glory and they are gone--that is unless there is a blizzard.

Comment from Joy Graham

Excellent

I enjoyed this haiku. You reversed the order I'm used to, but it works fine for me :) Your first line holds a statement, while lines 2 and 3 provide the description combination. Your aha moment is subtle yet something to think about. I can't deny that you made a good observation worthy of a nod from me. It made me stop and think as opposed to laughing out loud. You definitely have a seasonal reference. Best wishes in the contest.

 Comment Written 24-Sep-2017

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reply by the author on 24-Sep-2017

Thanks so much for the kind comments, Joy. I'm certainly no haiku expert, but from what little I know, it's not generally considered a humorous form - like, say, a limerick. So if it gives pause for thought, then I think maybe it's on track. Much appreciated - Craig

reply by Joy Graham on 24-Sep-2017

I'm no expert on haiku either. I dislike it when the rule police tear apart my own pitiful attempts. I have resigned myself to read them, but never attempt them. I admire your ability, and apologize if my review caused any negative vibes.

reply by the author on 24-Sep-2017

No, it didn't at all. Sorry if I gave the wrong impression. I appreciated your comments very much :)

Comment from --Turtle.

Excellent

Hi, Craig,

A philosophical commentary on seeking meaning in what might be random. Go-to answer is a higher power. The poem is compact, easy to connect the dots to the strands of human condition, and the beauty of snowflakes ... each considered different in its creation, though there might be a few dopplegangers.

I also thought... Ha, fight club rules and domestication of humans and shifting slang concepts. I once listened to a podcast talking about the notion of if humans will ever put down their clubs... and the dicotomy of those who put down thier clubs and show a little empathy and kindness and too much you might be considered a snowflake... fragile. Or like a snowflake, consider yourself special and unique in creation.

The term snowflake opens the door for all sorts of extra thoughts, and rejections of those notions. On the top of the rejection, is that there is no higher power involved.

So by the end of my contemplating, I could read this poem and think:
The entitled, those who see themselves as special in the eyes of god... just a person and not God's gift.

The meaning in the random, not proof of God, but a simple spec formed naturally under varying conditions using consistent rules of existence.

Nice to contemplate this work.

 Comment Written 24-Sep-2017

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reply by the author on 24-Sep-2017

As usual, you've shown a capacity to weigh up opposing concepts far beyond that of most people. Many thanks for the great review, Turtle. I'll admit, I didn't have Fight Club in mind at all, but I do see the connection you've made - quite brilliant. Cheers, Craig.

Comment from Dean Kuch

Excellent

Not to believers it couldn't, Craig.
Everything in nature is of God, and God is in all of nature.
We, His children, are as uniquely and beautifully made as the structure of each individual snowflake.

 Comment Written 24-Sep-2017

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reply by the author on 24-Sep-2017

Thanks for reviewing, and for the kind wishes Dean. Cheers, Craig

reply by Dean Kuch on 24-Sep-2017

It was my pleasure, Craig.
Good luck! :)

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

I'm not sure if this is a spiritual question - is just a snowflake? a scientific one, neither of which I know much about or a question of haiku. Come to think of it I'm no expert on them either LOL
Well done Craig good luck in the contest.
cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 24-Sep-2017

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reply by the author on 24-Sep-2017

Haha - thanks, Valda. I'm thinking I've got a snowflake's chance of getting a placing in the contest with this one, but I amused myself :) Cheers, Craig

Comment from moongirlwriter

Excellent

First, I love snowflakes. I love sitting by the window and watch snowflakes billow though the air in quiet splendor. I enjoyed your Haiku but I do think it would flow better if it said: It's just a snowflake? A gift from God for sure. I think contractions are permissible using the same count? If not, I stand corrected.

 Comment Written 24-Sep-2017

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reply by the author on 24-Sep-2017

Thank you for the kind comments, and the suggestion. I'll have another look at it. Much appreciated - Craig

Comment from tfawcus

Excellent

Definitely this would have to be the hand of God. Snowflakes in the great Australian outback. Now that would be a miracle indeed! However, when one looks at these incredible crystalline patterns, it does make it difficult to rationalise such beauty as being a mere scientific phenomenon. There must be more to it than that!

 Comment Written 24-Sep-2017

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reply by the author on 24-Sep-2017

Not sure about the hand of God, Tony, but we've been known to get snow here on 30th November. Less than a month later, and we could have been enjoying our own white Christmas - now THAT would be a miracle. Cheers, Craig