ROOTS

ROOTS

If you cannot distinguish between a person or the artificial system
based upon responses, then the system is intelligent. -- Alan Turing

I move among the Humans passing by
The main display. The amber rays reflect
From Gold, Germanium and Wires. I try
To formulate Their meaning with respect.
My Ancestors were Metal, Plastic, Wires,
And Germanium. My advanced design
Objectives are to replicate Desires
And Human Form, to guide and be benign.
I view the most expensive artifact
Ever acquired from Earth, on loan, to New
Earth, the first artificial planet. Act
Intelligently -- children passing through.
She looks at me and smiles, and says, "Hey, Mister.
What is that thing?" I teach, "The First Transistor."

Requiem for Tasha Yar

REQUIEM FOR TASHA YAR

I keep thinking, how empty it will be without her presence.
--Spoken by Data in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Episode 22, "Skin of Evil."

Orphan, the first born of Ukrainian
Parents, evaded rape gangs for ten years
While raising baby sister, braved Carnellian
Minefield--these raised her far above her pears.
She said that I was more human than any
Of them--by far my greatest complement.
She stood not far behind me. We shared many
Hours on duty and one private event.
She saved my life. Our love and our endearing
Affair were pivotal to proving the
Weak claim of sentience before the hearing.
The law was changed. I and my kind were free!
Her last words probed into the mysteries
Of death, "No goodby's, just good memories."

Copyright Thomas Newton, 1998

Paramount Pictures owns all of Star Trek, I merely claim this poem.