The Portrait of Henry Teel
by
Michael Turner

	Herny Teel is a man who sits alone, day after day, sipping coffee and gazing out his window to what used to be his life.  His walls have no colors, his clothes are worn and faded.  The only light offered is by the sun, which fills even the darkest corner of the room.  This man is tired.  As he gazes at his once spectacular field, he begins to ponder.  He knows that he has lived for everything that God has put him on this Earth for.  His wife has passed, his children have grown to have families of their own.  He asks himself if he should begin longing for death.  In his eyes, he has no more for which to live.  His only happiness is waking up every morning, and watching the sun rise majestically over the plains.  He has no more interests, no more friends, just himself, and his coffee cup to which he clings to whenever possible.  He asks himself, the question that ultimately we will all have to ask ourselves: "Do I wish to remain alive and lonely, or would I prefer wishing for death until the moment it  clutches me in it bittersweet release?"