Friendship

15+ Must-Read Poems about Friendship

(15 to start, 75+ to explore)

Friendship is one of the highlights of being human. Whether you value your friends’ constant care for you, their interest in your life and passions, or their trustworthiness, good friends more than deserve to be honored with poetry.

So, let’s celebrate your friends and explore some poems that articulate the often complex feelings that we have for those nearest and dearest to us: our friends.

Poems about Friendship Visual Representation

Poem Explorer Poetry Archives

#1

Nationality: English

Theme: Love

Emotion: Joyfulness

Topics:

100

"> 100/100

To My Excellent Lucasia, on Our Friendship

by Katherine Philips

‘To My Excellent Lucasia, on Our Friendship’ by Katherine Philips describes the relationship that existed between the poet and her friend Anne Owens.

Alongside ‘Orinda to Lucasia’ this is one of several wonderful pieces of poetry that Phillips wrote with the theme of friendship in mind. This poem is addressed to Philips’s close friend Anne Owens, known in the poems as Lucasia, while Philips is called “Orinda.” The entire text is dedicated to the way these women changed one another. Philips’s soul was revitalized by this relationship and became an entirely different person once she knew she had Owens in her life for good.

I did not live until this time

Crowned my felicity,

When I could say without a crime,

I am not thine, but thee.

#2

Nationality: American

Theme: Love

Topic:

99

"> 99/100

A Time to Talk

by Robert Frost

‘A Time to Talk’ by Robert Frost is a poem abut the importance of friendship. Nothing should get in the way of greeting a friend one truly cares about.

Within this piece, Frost speaks about the importance of friendship and how nothing should get in the way of greeting a friend who has come to visit. The poem begins with the speaker describing a situation in which his “friend calls” to him “from the road.” Neither the reader nor the speaker is aware of what the friend has to say. Of greater interest to Frost than the information that might be shared, is the speaker’s choice to set aside his “hoe” and go speak to his friend. This poem was meant to remind readers that it does not matter how tired one is or what work is left to do, a good friend “plod[s]” down and has a “friendly visit.”

When a friend calls to me from the road

And slows his horse to a meaning walk,

I don’t stand still and look around

#3

Nationality: English

Themes: Love, Nature, Relationships

Topic:

98

"> 98/100

Summer Friends

by Mary Lamb

‘Summer Friends’ by Mary Lamb is a sixteen line poem that speaks to the invulnerable relationship between friends in good times and bad.

This sixteen line poem speaks to what should be the invulnerable relationship between friends in good times and bad. The poem follows the life of a swallow, who comes to live in the speaker’s chimney during the summer months. He has become a part of the family, a friend who’s presence is welcome and expected. Things change when the winter months come: the sparrow’s need for “Man” is greater.

The Swallow is a summer bird;

He in our chimneys, when‘the weather is fine and warm, may then be heard

Chirping his notes for weeks together.

#4

Nationality: English

Themes: Love, Nature, Relationships

Topics:

97

Birds, Light, Sky, Sun

"> 97/100

Orinda to Lucasia

by Katherine Philips

‘Orinda to Lucasia’ by Katherine Philips describes the importance and intensity of the relationship she holds with her close friend, Anne Owens.

In this piece, Philips describes the importance and intensity of the relationship she held with her close friend, Anne Owens. The poem compares the speaker’s friendship with Anne Owens to the sun. Owens is as critical to Philip’s survival as heat and light are to birds and flowers. She knows she won’t survive much longer without her.

OBSERVE the weary birds ere night be done,

How they would fain call up the tardy sun,

With feathers hung with dew,

And trembling voices too.

#5

Nationality: English

Theme:

92

Emotion: Grief

Topics:

Death of a Loved One

94

95

Sisters, Suffering

Genre: Elegy

"> 95/100

On the Death of Anne Brontë

by Charlotte Brontë

‘On the Death of Anne Brontë’ by Charlotte Brontë describes the poet’s grief over her beloved sister’s death and her relief that Anne’s suffering has ended.

This terribly sad poem comes from the perspective of the poet herself. Charlotte describes her grief over her sister Anne’s death. They were very close sisters as well as friends. The poem describes how Charlotte has lived to see a day she did not want to see when her most cherished companion has died. This person, her sister Anne, was so important to her that she would’ve died to save her if she could have.

There's little joy in life for me,

And little terror in the grave;

I 've lived the parting hour to see

Of one I would have died to save.

#6

Themes: Aging, Death, Immortality

Emotions: Fear, Hope

Topics:

94

Adulthood, Afterlife

"> 94/100

Provide, Provide

by Robert Frost

‘Provide, Provide’ by Robert Frost is a powerful depiction of the inevitability of death. Frost spends time talking about the ways one can face the fact that they aren’t going to live forever.

In this poem, Frost speaks on life, death, and the various ways one can approach the indisputable facts of mortality. It is an intricately layered work that delves into the difficulties of finding one’s path through life and the correct companions to keep one company. Using an ironic and sometimes mocking tone, Frost confronts themes of life, friendship, death, and one’s legacy.

The witch that came (the withered hag)

To wash the steps with pail and rag,

Was once the beauty Abishag,

#7

Nationality: American

Themes: Celebration, Death

Topic:

93

"> 93/100

A Song for New Year’s Eve

by William Cullen Bryant

‘A Song for New Year’s Eve’ captures the bittersweet transition from old to new, mingled with hope and remembrance.

In ‘A Song for New Year’s Eve,’ Bryant discusses themes of change, memory, and hope. These are seen through Bryant’s depiction of the past and the fact that now, as the year is ending and friends are buried, all that’s left are memories. The “change” is undeniable. It’s going to come in the next hours as the old year ends and the new begins. There is nothing they can do to stop it.

Stay yet, my friends, a moment stay—

Stay till the good old year,

So long companion of our way,

Shakes hands, and leaves us here.

#8

Nationality: Irish

Themes: Aging, Death, Dreams

Topic:

91

"> 91/100

In Memory of Major Robert Gregory

by William Butler Yeats

‘In Memory of Major Robert Gregory’ mourns R. Gregory’s early demise, celebrating his talents and the void left by his untimely death.

This poem is an elegy or a devotional piece of writing completed after someone’s death. In this case, it is for Major Robert Gregory. He was the son of one of Yeats’ closest friends, Lady Augusta Gregory. He was an airman who died in a battle in World War I. The loss of Robert inspired Yeats to consider other losses he suffered throughout his life.

Now that we're almost settled in our house

I'll name the friends that cannot sup with us

Beside a fire of turf in th' ancient tower,

And having talked to some late hour

#9

58

Nationality:

77

Themes:

71

55

Emotions:

60

62

Topics:

Death of a Loved One

87

40

90

87

47

20

Form:

57

"> 90/100

Sea Canes

by Derek Walcott

‘Sea Canes’ by Derek Walcott is a beautiful and deeply sad poem about loss. It uses the natural world to imply that there are ways to feel close to those one has lost again.

The poet clearly cares deeply for all of his friendships, including those he's lost. He wants these people to be returned, by the earth, to his life. But this is clearly impossible. He has to find the strength to take what peace he can from nature and keep living.

Half my friends are dead.

I will make you new ones, said earth.

No, give me them back, as they were, instead,

#10

55

Nationality:

60

Themes:

50

85

70

Emotions:

77

65

75

Topics:

87

65

55

85

Form:

55

"> 87/100

On A Journey

by Hermann Hesse

‘On A Journey’ by Hermann Hesse is a poem that seeks to provide both comfort and solace to those who find themselves demoralized by life’s journeys.

The relationship between the two characters in Hermann Hesse's poem — the speaker and their companion — is ambiguous. There's no evidence about it leaning toward the romantic or the platonic. Yet this withholding only makes the poem more affecting in its assertions regarding the importance of such a friendship.

Don't be downcast, soon the night will come,

When we can see the cool moon laughing in secret

Over the faint countryside,

And we rest, hand in hand.

#11

50

Nationality:

45

Themes:

50

80

60

Emotions:

Missing Someone

75

45

85

Topics:

85

60

75

70

World War One (WWI)

55

Form:

50

"> 85/100

Thinking Of A Friend At Night

by Hermann Hesse

‘Thinking Of A Friend At Night’ imagines, with a mixture of anxiety and hope, the current whereabouts of a friend fighting in World War One.

Hesse's poem explores the various burdens and hopes that come with any sincere friendship. If the speaker didn't care about their friend, then their well-being wouldn't plague their imagination, forcing them to wonder if the worst has happened. Despite this, the speaker's compassion persists, even attaching any hope for an end to "the worry, the war, the uneasy nights" on their return.

In this evil year, autumn comes early… I walk by night in the field, alone, the rain clatters, The wind on my hat…And you? And you, my friend?

#12

82

Nationality:

76

Themes:

81

80

60

40

60

Emotions:

52

50

55

25

Missing Someone

82

Topics:

50

58

83

50

Form:

56

Genre:

40

"> 83/100

Taking Leave of a Friend

by Li Bai

Li Bai’s ‘Taking Leave of a Friend’ uses different literary techniques to convey the themes of transience, nature, longing, and friendship.

In this poem, Li Po addresses the topic of friendship through his vivid descriptions of parting from a beloved companion. The poem portrays the emotional impact of separation, emphasizing the deep attachment that the speaker feels towards their friend. Through the use of metaphor, repetition, and imagery, Li Po conveys the complexities of friendship and the sense of loss that comes with saying goodbye to a cherished companion.

Blue mountains lie beyond the north wall;

Round the city's eastern side flows the white water.

Here we part, friend, once forever.

You go ten thousand miles, drifting away

#13

81

Nationality:

80

Themes:

83

76

75

78

Emotions:

72

68

70

64

73

Topics:

70

63

73

79

66

65

72

World War One (WWI)

79

Form:

73

"> 79/100

Peace, Blessed Peace

by Edward Dyson

‘Peace, Blessed Peace’ by Edward Dyson brings humor and horror together, highlighting soldiers’ resilience in the face of relentless war.

‘Peace, Blessed Peace’ poem addresses friendship as a cornerstone of survival in war. Through their shared jokes and mutual support, Dyson paints a picture of soldiers as more than fighters—they are companions, relying on one another to endure the physical and emotional strain of combat.

Here in the flamin' thick of thick of things,

With Death across the way, 'n' traps

What little Fritz the German flings

Explodin' in yer lunch pe'aps,

#14

55

Nationality:

50

Themes:

50

53

65

60

Emotions:

52

64

62

58

55

Topics:

Children's Poetry

65

55

78

62

Form:

60

Genre:

55

"> 78/100

A Friend’s Greeting

by Edgar Guest

Edgar Guest’s ‘A Friend’s Greeting’ is a heart-touching poem about a speaker’s gratitude for his dearest friend. This poem is written in the form of a greeting in verse.

This poem is a lighthearted, emotional verse about the meaning of friendship. In it, the speaker expresses his platonic love for his best friend who he aspires to be like. Although the speaker wants to be a meaningful part of his friend's life by doing splendid things for him, all he has to offer are his heart-warming poems.

I'd like to be the sort of friend that you have been to me;

I'd like to be the help that you've been always glad to be;

I'd like to mean as much to you each minute of the day

As you have meant, old friend of mine, to me along the way.

#15

31

Nationality:

30

Themes:

60

55

57

Emotions:

72

77

Loving Someone You Can't Have

65

Topics:

73

72

59

75

Form:

67

Genre:

78

"> 73/100

The Triumph of Achilles

by Louise Glück

‘The Triumph of Achilles’ depicts the titular hero as he mourns the loss of his beloved companion Patroclus.

Perhaps surprisingly, much of the poem's focus is directed toward the nature of the friendship between the two men rather than the things that mark them out as different from other people. The imbalance of their relationship is shown to be reminiscent of human friendships more broadly.

In the story of Patroclus

no one survives, not even Achilles

who was nearly a god.

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