Octavia Butler, R.I.P. (June 22, 1947-February 25, 2006)

[eldritchhobbit]

I have no words.

Octavia Butler: she is gone.


Create no images of God.
Accept the images
that God has provided.
They are everywhere,
in everything.
God is Change---
Seed to tree,
tree to forest;
Rain to river,
river to sea;
Grubs to bees,
bees to swarm.
From one, many;
from many, one;
Forever uniting, growing, dissolving---
forever Changing.
The universe
is God's self-portrait.

From "Earthseed: The Book of the Living," by Lauren Oya Olamina, the poet created by Octavia E. Butler for her 1993 novel, Parable of the Sower

Comments

[fungus-files.livejournal.com]

*has no words either*

two very sad days. don knotts, the Night Stalker, and now octavia butler.

*considers the richness of their creative legacies*

*feels a little better*

*hugs you*

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

*hugs you back*

Oh, man.

[vaklam.livejournal.com]

One firmament is now a little dimmer. Another is a little brighter.

I hadn't heard, yet. Thanks for posting it.

Re: Oh, man.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

One firmament is now a little dimmer. Another is a little brighter.

Beautifully put.

[randomalia.livejournal.com]

I don't know any of her work, but it's a lovely poem. Thanks for posting.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[estellye.livejournal.com]

Why do I never hear of these people until they leave? What a fascinating bio and bibliography! And what a lovely poem! I need to pay better attention...

There have been a lot of fine people transitioning out lately. It makes me glad I don't believe anyone is ever really gone - particularly if they leave a legacy of work behind.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

She was a true pioneer in science fiction, and I have tremendous respect for her. One of my students is doing a semester-long research project on her Parable of the Sower at the moment. This is a tremedous loss for the genre.

It makes me glad I don't believe anyone is ever really gone - particularly if they leave a legacy of work behind.

Beautifully put! Thank you for this.

[semielliptical]

Thank you for passing on the news, and for posting the poem. I met her once when she did a reading at a small bookstore - she was so kind and generous, which made me appreciate her talent even more.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

she was so kind and generous, which made me appreciate her talent even more.

And rightly so! Thank you for sharing this. It reinforces my own feelings about and impressions of her. I appreciate it.

[samarra.livejournal.com]

I will miss her greatly.

Hi, we have some mutual friends, so I wandered over here.
Always enjoy reading your posts.