Data Poem by Denis Martindale

From genius, this android came with flesh that felt so warm
And Data was the chosen name for this in human form,
To grow in stature and in grace and information, too,
Then process years that must take place till Starfleet came in view.
To train in the Academy, a few years, then to leave,
With honours there for all to see, through merit to receive,
Assigned to Starship Enterprise to serve Captain Picard,
When Farpoint made them realise why Q judged Man so hard.
Humanity was still on trial, regardless, war or peace,
And Q still tested using guile so that such pride would cease,
The Borg approached from distant space, from light-years brought by Q,
Discovering the Human Race then planning what to do.
While Data studied what may come, there was no sense of fear,
For androids aren't afraid like some, no matter what comes near.

Emotions cloud all human thought, yet Data had no dreams
Except to serve, till getting caught, to learn the Borg Queen's schemes,
But when sensations came along, temptation rose within,
A tiny touch proved oh so strong upon the android's skin.
Resisting feelings, Data stayed as loyal as could be,
Though for a second Data strayed, that changed to dignity,
And while the future lay ahead, this seemed the finest hour,
Despite the ever-present dread till time to overpower.
Resourceful to the bitter end upon the final day,
Commander Data proved a friend, all life to give away,
To save the Captain, ship and crew, this hero then gave all,
The best android they ever knew, the one they would recall.
Because when heroes pay the cost, it's courage they must test,
Starfleet remembers all they've lost. The finest and the best.


Denis Martindale. August 2019.


The science fiction poem is a tribute to Commander Data of the Starship Enterprise. Brent Spiner famously played Data in the TV series The Next Generation, then in the films, and later in the TV series Picard.

While testing an emotion chip for extra chances to feel emotions, rather than to imitate them, Data experiences fear like never before. He can also laugh and cry, but emotions overwhelm Data and cause sudden distress. In the android's journey, Star Trek fans could explore Data's full spectrum of cold robotic responses to a full-on emotional meltdown.

Beyond Data's experiences, the poem refers specifically to the honourable sacrifice Data chooses to make to save the Captain and the crew, not just as Starfleet officers but as his deeply respected friends.