Photo by Ryan Somma

By Tina Teng-Henson

I. Friendship Haikus

Grace:
Scant years of overlap
Wistful regret for moving
Always in my heart

Diana:
Earliest friendship
Very different lives these days
Pen pals from the start

Tiff:
My younger sister
Uncertified counselor
The truth tumbles out

Nina:
Freshman year roommate
Our other pediatrician
Caring confidante

Dabney:
ONS Small Group
We talk monthly without fail
Proud of each other

II. Some with less fullness
___:
So busy you are
Only I initiate
Do you care for me?

_____:
I admit I am
Sometimes there, sometimes absent
I have excuses

_______:
Mom friend and neighbor
I try too hard to pastor
But that’s my nature

III. Newer
__________:
Our kids are good friends
So we are growing in that
Will faith be a part?

_____:
Safeway encounter
And you’re a counselor too!
Dance class waiting time

_______:
Always improving
Earnest, humble, light-hearted
You love your kids well

IV. Pastoral relationships:
______:
I was your pastor
Now I’m not. Friends or not? hmm…
I am limited.

____:
We would have stayed friends
If your man wasn’t my boss
But sadly he was

_____:
I care about you
It’s not your job to care back
But you do, thank you

____:
You’re a truth serum
Decades older and wiser
Yet we are the same

V. Friendships with the other
_____:
Is it possible?
You only want to shake hands
I know I’m female

_____:
Charismatic, yes
It brings trouble to us all
You can be holy

_____:
Chemistry exists
Ministerial in kind
Will Satan thwart us?

VI. My Best Friend For Life
You know all about me,
the good and the bad
You know when I rise
and fall…

You see the beginning
You stand at the end
And yet you remain
Faithful to say
I’m your friend

Friend
There will never be a friend
as dear to me as you
There will never be another
closer than a brother

Friend
Always worth the wait
As faithful as the day
You say
We are friends

Tina Teng-Henson and her family live in Santa Clara, California. She is presently serving as an interim co-pastor at Orchard Valley Christian Church (orchardvalley.org). She enjoys volleyball, independent film, and being in nature.