The Sculpture

I heard a voice close to my back say, “That is one ugly person”.

I turned and got a glimpse of the speaker.

Trying to determine their point of reference, I quickly surmised I was the object.

How could I respond to such cruelty?

Quickly I thought, “May I share a secret with you“?

I was sculpted by the most famous artist known to mankind.

Every part was lovingly carved and placed in perfect alignment to meet my needs.

He let me know that I’m so unique, there has never been, nor will ever be, another just like me.

Then within my chest, He placed a heart of gold…

to forgive those who don’t recognize the Master’s work.

_________________________

This first appeared in The Havok Journal on November 11, 2024.

Born in Durham County, North Carolina, Elaine Jones is an Army spouse, Army mother and Army & Marine Corps grandmother who enjoyed careers in nursing and education before retiring.  

Her first career was as a neonatal nurse at Duke University Hospital. She left the nursing profession and became an Army spouse, raising a family and supporting her husband’s military career.  She later became interested in education and served as a teacher’s aide, then as an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) instructor for Alamance Community College. 

Active in community service, Elaine has organized efforts to build mobility aids for the disabled, and volunteered to help local hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and community centers. She loves to bring smiles to the faces of hospital patients, children and assisted living residents portraying her alter ego, a clown named “Miss Dipity Dolittle.” 

Elaine enjoys writing and published Granny’s Legacy: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems as well as featured articles and poems in Good Old Day’s Magazine, The Havok Journal and The Epoch Times, Battlefields. 

Elaine’s hobbies include writing, reading, painting and crocheting. She donates some of her crocheted items to support local charities including Ricky’s Retreat, a safe spot for struggling young adults and teens. 

As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.