Data's poem "A sunset bloom" might just be my favourite poem.
A lot of it probably has to do with being neurodivergent and seeing myself, both in Data, but also in how he is treated...
Yet, I cannot help but feel that there is something sublime about this poem. Something truly beautiful.
Then we sat on the sand for some time and observed
How the oceans that cover the world were perturbed
By the tides from the orbiting moon overhead
"How relaxing the sound of the waves is," you said.
Already, we see a beautiful moment, shared, yet not. Whereas Data watched the movement of the tide, and contemplated the moon up above, his companion listened to the sounds of the waves. A shared experience, but different perceptions.
I began to expound upon tidal effects
When you asked me to stop, looking somewhat perplexed
So I did not explain why the sunset turns red
And we watched the occurrence in silence instead.
Not only is this a relatable event, but there is both pain and love in this. The pain of not being understood, of being dismissed, where one would desire an avid listener, someone to share the passion and interest... and the love of sharing the moment, nonetheless, of companionable silence, of comfort in each other's presence...
And there's more to it still, there's learning, in finding when a silence is desired, in navigating the social game.
An ode to Spot is also truly lovely. So much love, shown so clearly and cleverly. Such devoted attention to detail. Beauty.
But this? A sunset bloom? It speaks to me. It sells the moment in its entirety, it is at once both sorrowfully and joyfully, hopeless and hopefully, a moment shared, yet not. Pain and love.
Beauty.
