For decades, whether he was entertaining America on a weekday TV show or up on the silver screen in theatres, Leonard Nimoy made his mark in the field of acting. Nimoy is, of course, most revered by fans of Star Trek for his portrayal of Spock and/or Spock Prime. Additionally, he was renowned for a variety of narration work, which suited his distinctive voice perfectly.
From 1984 to the early nineties, he broke into a decent stretch of screenwriting and directing, most notably of Star Trek films. While his work in film was utterly crucial to the entire Trekkie franchise, the actor also concentrated his energy, for a time (in the late 1970s), on a small literary work.
Nicely enough, the little book had nothing to do with Trek. (Nimoy’s Star Trek co-star William Shatner, who portrayed James T. Kirk, has all-too-frequently turned to writing stories based on his own popular sci-fi franchise.) Instead, it was an entirely original piece of literature. Nimoy’s intent was to say something in broad yet simple terms out of gratitude to others. It was called These Words Are for You (1981), and the message he had was spun and laid down in what reads as enticing free-verse poetry.
This work of his was not meant to draw attention to the saga which had made him known to thousands of fans. However, Nimoy’s words strike some of the chords that Mr. Spock’s might. The man who had long been recognized for taking on the personality of a philosophical thinker from the fantastic world of Vulcan was now venturing into the human condition, particularly feelings, in These Words Are for You. Its style exudes a rather personal air. The narrator seeks a genuine and fully human relationship, nothing less.
I may act secure
And self-assured
But I’m human…
I have my moments
Of self-doubt
And I can be hurt
Just like anyone else
Leonard Nimoy’s Spock has a catchphrase, a common word of greeting and parting: “Live long and prosper.” If you think about it, the statement is a quaint but rather vague one. At this point in his life, Nimoy has lived a sizeable span of time. He has had a long life. And now, like his fictional counterpart, he employs the most rudimentary logic. The narrator strives to learn what it means to prosper, what it means to lead a good, rich life. His mind races with thoughts of his next goal, the next meaningful endeavor he shall dedicate himself to.
It’s somewhat like the common notions which afflict adrenaline junkies; the question of what is the next best thing is mulled over again and again. The narrator wishes to know what is coming, what lies in store around the bend, what more he can do, what adventure may spur him on toward greater heights. His inevitable response comes in the form of helping those around him. He writes of the longing for companionship and the fulfillment he seeks in action of service, in giving back to others.
The answer comes
simply…
clearly…
Do something
for someone else…
Some surprise
something…
Some unexpected
something
Which says,
I thought
of you
I care
about you
I wanted
to do
something
for you…
The narrator does not confine the act of giving of oneself and his faculties to mere contributions of work. He extends it, revealing that the gift of self is not just in what one has or in what one can create. The gift of self is a sacrifice. It means giving up time to listen and console the hearts of the men and women around us. The message is one of charity and mercy. This ideal would likely be frowned upon in Vulcan culture for various reasons, but it seems to have worked in real life.
While the Vulcan Spock is a fictitious facade worn by Nimoy, here the reader gets a thorough glimpse of the actor’s humanity. It is an art apart from acting but not separated from the actor. A healthy portion of this skillfully-penned note is a love letter, though perhaps not of the traditional type. In so many ways, it is often not of an erotic nature. That is not to say that it falls short of its purpose. It is rather a letter of love to humanity but also to the individual, embodying fraternal love more so than romance. His is a display of philia, the love bestowed to friends, and agape, the love which takes shape in self-sacrifice for those in need. This picture of complete congeniality can be grasped in a number of passages such as the following:
I love
To see you
Play the child…
Alive
Excited
Hopeful
Dreaming…
Forever
The optimist
Forever
Entranced
By a new thought
A new idea…
I hope
That I can go on
Forever touching
Those ideas
That awaken
The child in you
In his personal, liberating poetry, Nimoy thrusts the notion of freshness as a thing of beauty upon the mind of his reader. In its entirety, These Words Are for You explores numerous dimensions of human longing and loathing, aspiration and anxiety. Leonard Nimoy furnishes his reader with something of the pinnacle of the heights to which humanity is meant to ascend by delving deeply into the essence of the human factor of personhood. It relates a community of camaraderie, not command; of truth, not turmoil. Here is his message to the world, and it is one of care.
