Teaching friendship to students is as important as ABCs and 123s! Poetry offers a magical way to explore themes like kindness, sharing, and empathy. If you are looking for simple poems to inspire your students, the 10 poems about friendship we recommend today will warm your hearts. Engaging, easy to memorize, and paired with fun activities to help students reflect on the meaning of true friendship. Plus, free printable versions of these poems are included to help you spark creativity much more easily!
10 poems about friendship
1. A Friend by Gillian Jones
Theme: Trust, support, kindness
Literary devices: Rhyme, repetition, couplet verse
When it comes to poems about friendship, A Friend by Gillian Jones is the top choice of many teachers. This poem beautifully describes the qualities of a true friend – someone who lifts us up when we are feeling down and shares in our joys and successes. It emphasizes that friendship is about trust, support, and kindness.
“A person who will listen and not condemn
Someone on whom you can depend.”
In the classroom, you can use this poem to start a discussion about what makes a good friend. Students can share stories of how their friends have supported them and then write a short paragraph about a moment when a friend’s kindness made a difference in their life.
Download this worksheet for A Friend poem!
2. New Friends and Old Friends by Joseph Parry
Theme: Value of friendships, change
Literary devices: Rhyme, metaphor, contrast, quatrain verse
This poem beautifully expresses how both new and old friendships are valuable. It reminds us that while new friends bring fresh excitement, old friends provide stability and comfort.
“Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, these are gold.”
Students can reflect on their friendships and write about a friend they have known for a long time versus a new friend they recently made. Teachers can guide a discussion about what makes friendships last and help students create a “Friendship Contract” that outlines the qualities of a good friend.
Bring the New Friends and Old Friends worksheet to your classroom!
3. Since Hanna Moved Away by Judith Viorst
Theme: Loss, change, emotions
Literary devices: Free verse, imagery, tone
Poems about friendship not only capture moments of joy but also explore the theme of loss, conveying the emotions of losing a close friend like Since Hanna Moved Away by Judith Viorst. It’s a heartfelt reflection on the sadness and change that comes with a friend moving away. Through simple yet touching lines, it expresses how everyday things feel different without a beloved companion.
“The tires on my bike are flat.
The sky is grouchy gray.
At least it sure feels like that
Since Hanna moved away.”
Teachers can use this poem to discuss emotions and help students process feelings of loss and change in friendships. A great activity is to have students write letters to a friend they miss or create a list of ways to stay in touch with long-distance friends.
Download the worksheet for Since Hanna Moved Away now!
4. Friends by Abbie Farwell Brown
Theme: Friendship beyond people, nature
Literary devices: Rhyme, personification, imagery, quatrain verse
This poem is a lovely tribute to all kinds of friends—not just human friends, but also those found in nature. It reminds us that we are never truly alone if we appreciate the world around us.
“How good to lie a little while
And look up through the tree!
The Sky is like a kind big smile
Bent sweetly over me.”
Teachers can encourage students to think about friendships beyond the classroom. A fun activity is to have students write about an unexpected “friend” – perhaps a pet, a favorite book, or even a tree in their backyard.
Download the worksheet for Friends now!
5. Forever Friends by Amber S. Pence
Theme: Lifelong friendship, trust, and support
Literary devices: Rhyme, imagery, emotional appeal
This heartfelt poem captures the depth of true friendship—one that withstands distance, hardships, and time. Through shared laughter, secrets, and unwavering support, it reminds us that real friends stay connected no matter where life takes them.
“The friendship we have is so rare to find.
We hate to see each other in a bind.
We have made each other laugh so hard we’ve cried.”
This poem provides a great opportunity for students to reflect on their own friendships. A meaningful activity is to have them write a letter to a close friend, expressing gratitude and recalling special memories they’ve shared.
Download the Forever Friends worksheet now!
6. The Cake of Friendship by Michelle Flores
Theme: Friendship, sharing, and kindness
Literary devices: Metaphor, rhyme, imagery, quatrain verse
This delightful poem compares friendship to a cake, emphasizing that trust, kindness, and love are the key ingredients for a strong bond. Just like a well-made cake, a good friendship requires care, patience, and a little sweetness.
“Preheat the oven of love
With plenty of secrets and hugs
Mix in giggles and laughs
That make your sides split in half.”
Teachers can introduce this poem as a creative way to explore the ingredients of a meaningful friendship. It encourages students to reflect on the values that strengthen their bonds with others. For an engaging activity, students can design their own “Recipe for Friendship,” listing qualities like honesty, laughter, and support as key ingredients.
Bring this worksheet for The Cake of Friendship to your classroom!
7. The Swing by Robert Louis Stevenson
Theme: Childhood, joy
Literary devices: Rhyme, imagery, rhythm, quatrain verse
This cheerful poem captures the pure joy of childhood friendships and the excitement of swinging high into the sky – a feeling many children know and love. Through vivid imagery and a playful rhythm, Stevenson beautifully conveys the simple yet magical joys of childhood—moments of freedom, wonder, and endless fun.
“How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!”
This poem is a great way to spark conversations about favorite childhood activities and the little moments that bring happiness. A creative extension is to have students illustrate their happiest memories of playing outdoors, whether swinging, running, or climbing trees. They can also write a short poem or reflection about a time they felt truly carefree.
Download The Swing worksheet now!
8. Count That Day Lost by George Eliot
Theme: Kindness, self-reflection
Literary devices: Rhyme, repetition, didactic verse
This thoughtful poem encourages kindness and reminds us that a day without doing something good for a friend is a day wasted. Eliot encourages readers to reflect on their daily actions, emphasizing that even the smallest good deed can make a difference.
“If you sit down at a set of sun
And count the acts that you have done,
And, counting, find
One self-denying deed, one word.”
This poem is a powerful way to inspire students to be more mindful of their actions and their impact on others. A meaningful classroom activity is to have students create a “Kindness Tracker”, where they record small yet meaningful gestures throughout the week, such as helping a classmate, offering a compliment, or simply listening to a friend.
Download the worksheet for the Count that Day Lost poem!
9. The Best of Friends by S. Jill Wolf
Theme: Positivity, encouragement
Literary devices: Rhyme, repetition, couplet verse
This poem expresses the essence of true friendship—the kind that stands strong through both good and bad times. It highlights how friends bring comfort, laughter, and unwavering support, making life’s journey easier.
“The best of friends can change a frown”
“Into a smile when you feel down.”
Teachers can use this poem to discuss the qualities of a good friend. A great activity is to have students write about a time a friend helped them or create an acrostic poem using the word “FRIEND.”
Download The Best of Friend worksheet for your lesson!
10. True Friend by Ashley Campbell
Theme: Loyalty, appreciation
Literary devices: Rhyme, simile, metaphor, couplet verse
This poem celebrates the uniqueness of a true friend, someone who is always there through ups and downs. It conveys gratitude for those rare friendships that are cherished for a lifetime.
“A friend is like a star that twinkles and glows
Or maybe like the ocean that
gently flows
A friend is like gold that you should treasure”
Teachers can encourage students to reflect on their own friendships. A meaningful activity is to have students write a thank-you note to a friend, expressing why they appreciate them.
Print the True Friend worksheet for your students!
Friendship and teaching share the same heart — care, connection, and inspiration. Celebrate those moments of learning and love with our poems about teaching.
FAQs
1. Which poem describes a friendship?
There are many wonderful poems that beautifully capture the essence of friendship. Some celebrate the joy and laughter shared between friends, while others highlight the trust, support, and deep emotional bonds that make friendships last. Poems like A Friend by Gillian Jones and The Best of Friends by S. Jill Wolf emphasize the qualities of a true friend, while Forever Friends by Amber S. Pence and New Friends and Old Friends by Joseph Parry explore how friendships evolve over time. If you’re looking for a poem that expresses gratitude, True Friend by Ashley Campbell is a great choice.
2. How to make a poem about friendship?
Writing a friendship poem is a heartfelt way to express appreciation for the special people in your life. Here are a few simple steps to create your own:
- Choose a theme: Decide what aspect of friendship you want to highlight, such as loyalty, support, shared memories, or lasting bonds.
- Think of personal experiences: Reflect on moments that define your friendship, like fun adventures, deep conversations, or times when your friend was there for you.
- Use poetic devices: Rhyme, similes, metaphors, and imagery can make your poem more expressive and engaging.
- Decide on a structure: You can write in free verse, couplets, or a structured quatrain format, depending on the mood of your poem.
- Keep it heartfelt: A great friendship poem doesn’t have to be complicated; sincerity is what makes it meaningful.
Final thoughts
The above 10 poems about friendship plant seeds of empathy that bloom for a lifetime. By learning these poems, students can appreciate the relationships in their lives while also fostering creativity and reflection. Ready to inspire your classroom community? Browse Worksheetzone now to bring friendship poems to your classroom!
