Terracotta Profile

Dragging a crumbly fragment of weathered red brick across the porch step, I decided this drab limestone slab was in desperate need of a genuine masterwork. Gripping the rough red shard firmly with both plastic hands, I pressed its sharpest edge into the smooth stone surface. With three calculated, sweeping strokes, I laid down a crisp, ochre-tinted silhouette: the bold arch of a discerning brow, the elegant plunge of my regal nose, and a downturned lip steeped in tragic sophistication. Powdery rust residue coated my knuckles, but the likeness was unmistakable. I stood back with folded arms, exhaling a quiet sigh. Finally, public art worthy of display.