Taken during my visit to the de Young Museum in 2023, this striking photograph encapsulates the fusion of architecture, emblem, and symbolism in a single totem pole. A man loftily perched atop, enhances the intrigue, highlighting the pole's multifaceted role as a pillar, a totem, and a place of rest. The faces etched on the pole, a juxtaposition of heads and baby, add layers of depth and mystery to this poignant moment.