When Data Rhymes
Sometimes, it's pure poetry to capture how others might perceive simple things
Succumbing slightly to the stress of various dystopian realities, I’ve been moving my media tastes away from escapism via action movies, thrillers, and police procedurals and into more soothing choices, including bizarre comedies, quirky dramas, and “old friends” like Star Trek: The Next Generation, which I rediscovered via its syndication on BBC America.
Many of the episodes of Next Generation hold up well, especially after about mid-Season 2. There are threads that don’t work — the Klingon family dramas fall flat for me — but one standout of the series is Brent Spiner’s portrayal of Commander Data. It’s consistent and terrific.
So, for Friday fun today, I offer his poem about his feline companion, who was given the charming and off-kilter name of “Spot.”
Enjoy!
Ode to Spot
Felis catus is your taxonomic nomenclature.
An endothermic quadruped, carnivorous by nature.
Your visual, olfactory, and auditory senses
Contribute to your hunting skill and natural defenses.
I find myself intrigued by your subvocal oscillations.
A singular development of cat communications
That obviates your basic hedonistic predilection,
For a rhythmic stroking of your fur to demonstrate affection.
A tail is quite essential for your acrobatic talents.
You would not be so agile if you lacked its counterbalance.
And when not being utilized to aid in locomotion
It often serves to illustrate the state of your emotions.
Oh, Spot, the complex levels of behavior you display
Connote a fairly well developed cognitive array.
And though you are not sentient, Spot, and do not comprehend
I nonetheless consider you a true and valued friend.