Tall Masts, Fine Humans

Sometimes giants are found in unexpected places.
High school biology, the very beginning of an odyssey,
40 years ago.

He taught us biology, the facts, and more importantly how to navigate.
In the field he showed us the rules; which to follow and which to politely ignore in the name of keeping things interesting.

He was the kind of guy a 15-year-old might quietly hope he could be like someday.

In recent years I’d see him around town every-so-often; last at The Habit in Solana Beach.
A conversation, a reminder of where I came from,
And maybe a heading change to correct for unconscious deviation.

Red, Right, Returning.

But even the masts of the tallest ships eventually disappear over the horizon,
Gone from sight, but never forgotten.

What a fine example of a human.

Mr. Straitiff