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Requiem for Methuselah: Better to Have Loved and …

A recluse alone on a planet ends up being an ancient genius. The only beautiful woman falls for Kirk — despite the recluse loving her — and Kirk falls for her hard. Problem? She’s a robot and not being able to accustom herself to having feelings ends up killing her.

Did I forget to say spoiler alert? Too bad because it’s about to get worse.

Kirk is totally heartbroken over her death and wishes to forget. McCoy says he wishes Kirk would forget. Then, without asking for consent OR discussing the whole “better to have loved and lost” thing, Spock goes ahead and mind-melds a sleeping Kirk saying FORGET.

I am not sure how I feel about any of this and I still managed to write a sonnet. Sometimes, I surprise myself.

Sonnet 38
'Tis Hunger makes the wanderer
who seekd yet never finds such meat
as satisfies that amateur
who by affection takes a seat.
The weight of Plenty keeps one still
without the need for test or will
when there exists no agony
nor any test of sweet esprit.
Between these lies the river Lone
whose waters only whet the thirst
no desert flower ever durst
when all the risks were fairly known.
Of flower daft drinks wanderer,
then sleeping does not remember.

P.S. Happy Valentine’s Day!