ODE TO SPOT

[jbake]

I remember the TNG episode with Data's recital of this ode , found here
http://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/inconsistencies/spot.htm

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 skills, 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 emotion.

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.

Ive always wanted to know who wrote it, it was a sterling poem. Delightful. Real talent, especially when considering the time demands

 

[Commander Cavit]

In the Data Humor Hall of Fame, along with "Hooey" and pretty much the whole episode A Fistfull of Datas.

 

[startrekwatcher]

I'm pretty sure I read in an interview years and years ago it was composed by Brannon Braga. In fact he commented that he was so impressed by it that he had to find a way to get it in another episode hence why a portion of it comes up in "A Fistful of Datas".

 

[Dale]

Both times it appeared in the show, it was misread by the actors. Riker and Data both read the first two lines as a question when it is in fact a statement.