Picture a young science teacher on an adventure
After a last minute invite to join a summer expedition
To make a rainforest tree inventory recording girth and height
Traveling to the opposite end of the earth
From northeast New Jersey to northeast Australia
Encountering plants animals stars all new and different
Absorbing the experience working hard getting around
Finding a way through the dense forest growth
Teamed up in pairs to survey designated areas
Their challenging task how to measure elevation
Needing to figure out the best way to get it done
Inspiring our friend to use himself to gauge the height
Visualize this person standing at the base of a tall tree
Smiling quite pleased by his human yardstick presentation
Having drawn one foot lines across his shirt and pants
Marking himself up into the unit of measurement
As I heard the story after half a century gone by
It seems that shirt came back as a cherished souvenir
And his classroom the next year featured rainforest lessons
And the annual science fair included a rainforest room
The person here in front of me talking today
Contending with the challenges of illness and age
Lights up when recalling this happy memory
Bringing back that smile for me to see
