I am Machine [Data Tribute]

I am Machine

Data sits at his desk in his personal quarters, typing code at the speed of light. He ponders hundreds of things at the same time. For a human, that's insane, but for Data, that's nothing. He can calculate the size of the solar system based on the sun itself and how large it all is.

Here's to being human

All the pain and suffering

Even though he is all that, he is so extraordinary, he still wants to be human.  He does not carry emotion in his processor, you can see his confusion as sadness.  Like a child who stares at a store window, dreaming of having the blue bike with stars. 

There's beauty in the bleeding

But Data hasn't ever experienced love, attraction, sadness, excite, or joy. 

At least you feel something

The android wants to be happy, he wants to feel despair. But alas, he is simply working at normal perimeters. 

I wish I knew what it was like

To care enough to carry on

"Hello, Data." Geordi LaForge, Data's best friend, walks into his room with Spot in his hand.

"Yeah. I don't think I am ready to have a pet." Geordi hands over the cat.

"May I ask why?" Data queries. 

"I don't think I have the patience."

Data has never felt impatient. He knows what he is supposed to do and his responsibilities, and he has never been bothered by it. Humans get stressed, tired, bored. And androids do not.

I wish I knew what it was like

to find a place where I belong, but

Spot scratches at Data's fake skin, but he feels no pain. 

I am machine

I never sleep

I keep my eyes wide open

The man never screamed in pain, even when being shot. He can be heavily damaged but does not complain of discomfort. Why would he without the reason? After all, he still has his logic circuits.

I am machine

a part of me

wishes I could just feel something

Geordi sighs, glancing at Data's work. He is studying emotions and how life forms get them and why.

"Are you still searching for emotions?"

"Yes, Geordi, I am. I am confused by my answers, it would seem I should be able to... feel, and yet, I cannot."

I am machine 

I never sleep

Until I fix what's broken

"Isn't it time for your mental clock to go to sleep?" Data questions.

"I'm working on a project," was his friend's response.

"Geordi, wouldn't it be wise to get some rest and continue your work tomorrow?"

I am machine

a part of me

wishes I could just feel something

Laforge's his first instinct is to tell him he needs sleep as well, but he doesn't need to. And so, the dark-skinned man with a visor agrees and makes his way to his own room. Data orders food for his cat as he leaves. He sits beside of him and mindlessly strokes her.
Humans would be able to feel love for their pets. They also take their feelings for granted. Many wish they couldn't feel.