I have one last poem I'd like to read.
It's very hard when people bring up the Star Trek poems
to not read at least one.
I do have to while I look for my bookmark that I lost.
Tell you that when after I sent in the final version
of the book, I realized that, at first,
the poems had spanned multiple different editions of Star Trek.
So there was Voyager and Enterprise references.
But then I did the editing.
And only Voyager poems were in the book.
But Enterprise was still the name
of the ship in the lost and found section.
And I have to tell people that depending
on the audience so that they I know I made a mistake.
I know there are many.
Exhibit B, unfiled correspondence.
Stardate, 2373.
Dear Chakotay, simply I loved you
like the captain loves you, in sidelong glances, in unreality.
How could I not?
You, with your tattoo, a professional.
You, lost in light years away from home,
and yet you believe your ancestors guide you.
I've watched you close your eyes to contact your spirit guides.
It was more intimate than a kiss.
I wanted to learn to pray the same way.
Oh, Chakotay, if you'd asked, I would have joined
the Marquis to be with you.
I would have left my sun and moon to follow you
into uncharted space.
I'd even adopt the Doctrine of Discovery for you.
I'd imagined us standing on deck quoting Picard.
I imagined us daring each other to boldly go
where no one's gone before.
I wanted to want you because you were a wanted Indian,
someone I wanted to be.
Chakotay, how my heart broke when I realized each night,
with your cold cream and your washcloth,
you un-tattoo your face before you fall asleep, unreddened,
unmarked.
PS, my heart, my red, red heart.
Chin'an.
Thank you.
[APPLAUSE]