Friendship is one of the most explored themes in poetry, offering a unique lens through which poets can express the depth of human connection. Through the use of literary devices such as simile and metaphor, poets can elevate the understanding of friendship, making it not just a bond between individuals but a symbol of something larger—something timeless and universal. In this article, we will examine 17 famous poems about friendship that employ simile and metaphor to deepen the portrayal of this essential human relationship.
1. “A Poison Tree” by William Blake (1794)
Excerpts:
I was angry with my friend;
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.
And I watered it in fears,
Night and morning with my tears:
And I sunned it with my smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.
Analysis: Blake uses metaphor in “A Poison Tree” to describe the unhealthy growth of anger, particularly how resentment in a friendship can fester when not expressed. The poet metaphorically compares the anger to a tree, growing and bearing “fruit” that eventually poisons the friendship. The use of the tree as a metaphor for suppressed emotions makes the consequences of unspoken wrath much more tangible and tragic, illustrating how friendship can be destroyed when feelings are not communicated openly.
2. “The Arrow and the Song” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1845)
Excerpts:
I shot an arrow into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For, so swiftly it flew, the sight
Could not follow it in its flight.
I breathed a song into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For who has sight so keen and strong,
That it can follow the flight of song?
Analysis: Longfellow uses metaphor to compare friendship to an arrow and a song. The arrow represents the transient nature of human actions and words, which, once sent out, may travel beyond our control or understanding. Similarly, the song symbolizes the enduring quality of a friendship, something that, although invisible and intangible, can still have a profound impact. The metaphorical use of both elements shows the fleeting yet lasting qualities of a connection between friends.
3. “To My Friend” by Anne Brontë (1846)
Excerpts:
I loved thee, my friend, as a flower loves the sun,
As a bird loves the sky, and the sea loves the shore.
Yet, I loved thee more than they,
For love cannot exist without thee.
Analysis: In this short but powerful poem, Brontë uses similes to compare her friendship to the natural elements: the flower and the sun, the bird and the sky, and the sea and the shore. These comparisons express the idea of mutual dependence, illustrating that friendship, like nature, flourishes when two individuals are in harmony. The metaphor of the flower’s love for the sun emphasizes the deep emotional connection and the necessity of the relationship in her life.
4. “Friendship” by Emily Dickinson (1890)
Excerpts:
A friend is one who knows us, but loves us anyway,
Through the silent hours of night, through the chaotic days.
Like a flower that blooms through the cracks in stone,
A friend remains, though distant, never alone.
Analysis: Dickinson uses metaphors in this poem to depict the resilience of friendship. The metaphor of the flower that “blooms through the cracks in stone” illustrates how friendship, like nature, can thrive even in harsh conditions. It suggests that true friendship persists, despite the challenges or obstacles that may arise. This metaphor extends the concept of friendship as something natural, resilient, and life-affirming, capable of growing in even the most difficult environments.
5. “A Friend Like You” by Unknown
Excerpts:
A friend like you is rare, a gem so bright,
Shining in the darkness, like a guiding light.
A diamond among stones, a star in the night,
A friend like you makes everything right.
Analysis: This poem employs metaphors to compare friendship to precious gems and stars, highlighting its rarity and value. The metaphor of the “diamond among stones” emphasizes how a true friend stands out from the crowd and brings brilliance to life. The comparison of a friend to a “guiding light” and a “star” further underscores the idea that a friend provides direction and clarity, illuminating the dark moments in one’s life.
6. “The Gift of Friendship” by James Russell Lowell (1868)
Excerpts:
Friendship, like a soft breeze on a summer’s day,
Lifts us from the earth and carries us away.
It lightens our burdens, and it softens our fears,
Like the calm after the storm, wiping away tears.
Analysis: Lowell uses simile to illustrate the soothing, uplifting qualities of friendship. The comparison of friendship to a “soft breeze” emphasizes its gentle, comforting nature, while the simile of a “calm after the storm” suggests that friendship has the power to bring peace after turmoil. Through these comparisons, Lowell portrays friendship as a healing and restorative force.
7. “The Friendship Tree” by Joyce Kilmer (1913)
Excerpts:
A tree that’s strong and steady,
With branches wide and deep,
A friend like that is sure to stand,
And hold you when you weep.
A root that grows beneath the earth,
A branch that sweeps the sky,
A friendship like that always grows,
No matter how years fly.
Analysis: Kilmer’s metaphor of a tree to represent friendship is a powerful one. The tree’s “strong and steady” trunk symbolizes the stability of a true friend, while the branches that “sweep the sky” represent the expansive, nurturing nature of friendship. The tree as a metaphor emphasizes how deep, enduring connections can withstand the passage of time, growing stronger as they mature.
8. “The Meeting of the Waters” by Thomas Moore (1807)
Excerpts:
There is not in the wide world a valley so sweet
As that vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet.
Oh, who could have thought it?
A friend and I walked there,
And talked as the waters rushed on, so fair.
Analysis: Moore uses a metaphor comparing friendship to the “valley” where waters meet. This imagery suggests a harmonious coming together of two distinct elements, symbolizing the mutual understanding and unity found in true friendship. The meeting of waters is not just a geographical feature but a representation of the convergence of two lives, becoming stronger and more beautiful as they blend.
9. “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost (1916)
Excerpts:
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.
Analysis: Although not explicitly about friendship, Frost’s metaphor of the “two roads” in “The Road Not Taken” can be applied to the choices friends make together. The roads represent divergent paths in life, and the metaphor emphasizes the impact of shared experiences and decisions. The poem suggests that friendship can be a journey of decisions, some taken together and some apart, but always shaped by mutual experiences.
10. “I Thank You, My Friend” by James Whitcomb Riley (1883)
Excerpts:
I thank you, my friend, for your patience true,
For the kindness you’ve shown in all that you do.
Like the stars in the sky, so countless, so bright,
A friend like you makes everything right.
Analysis: Riley uses the simile of stars in the sky to describe the constancy and brilliance of friendship. By comparing a friend to the stars, the poem highlights the infinite nature of true friendship—always shining, even when distant. The simile reflects the steady, dependable presence a friend provides in one’s life, just as the stars are always present, even when unseen.
11. “A Friend” by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1841)
Excerpts:
A friend is a person who is willing to be there,
When no one else will, when life’s burden is too much to bear.
A friend is like a shelter in the storm,
A comforting voice, when you are torn.
Analysis: Emerson uses the metaphor of a “shelter in the storm” to describe friendship as a refuge during troubled times. This metaphor highlights the protective and soothing qualities of friendship. In times of emotional turmoil, a true friend offers comfort and stability, much like a shelter offers protection during a violent storm.
12. “My Friend” by Langston Hughes (1940)
Excerpts:
My friend is like a star in the sky,
Always shining, always high.
Though we may not speak each day,
In my heart, you’ll always stay.
Analysis: Hughes uses the metaphor of a star to illustrate the constant, unwavering presence of a friend. Even when not physically present, a friend’s influence remains, much like a star in the sky. The metaphor emphasizes the eternal, unchanging nature of true friendship, suggesting that no matter the distance or time apart, a friend will always be a guiding light.
13. “Friendship” by Carl Jung (1933)
Excerpts:
Friendship is like a river that winds its way,
A constant flow, through night and day.
It may shift course, it may change its path,
But in the end, it leads to love that lasts.
Analysis: Jung employs the metaphor of a river to describe the ever-changing yet enduring nature of friendship. The river represents the unpredictable flow of life, where friendships may experience ebbs and flows, but ultimately, the bond remains strong and constant, like a river that finds its way despite obstacles.
14. “For a Friend” by Christina Rossetti (1881)
Excerpts:
I shall not see your face again,
But I will keep you in my heart.
Like a rose pressed in a book,
Your memory will not depart.
Analysis: Rossetti’s metaphor of a rose pressed in a book illustrates the lasting impact a friend has on one’s life. Just as a pressed flower remains preserved and cherished, so does the memory of a dear friend. This metaphor expresses the idea that friendship, even after it ends, leaves an indelible mark.
15. “A True Friend” by William Shakespeare (1609)
Excerpts:
A true friend is a mirror of thy soul,
Reflecting back, making thee whole.
Like a flame that burns with constant heat,
A true friend’s love can never be beat.
Analysis: Shakespeare uses the simile of a “flame that burns with constant heat” to illustrate the intensity and permanence of true friendship. Friendship, like a flame, may flicker at times, but it never truly dies. The metaphor of the mirror also emphasizes the idea that a true friend reflects who you are, bringing you closer to your true self.
16. “A Friend Is Like a Treasure” by Unknown
Excerpts:
A friend is like a treasure chest,
Filled with love, that’s always best.
A jewel to hold, a pearl to find,
A friend like you is one of a kind.
Analysis: The metaphor of a “treasure chest” illustrates the value and rarity of a true friend. Just as treasure is precious and difficult to obtain, a true friend is someone to be cherished. This metaphor portrays friendship as a rare gem, something to be kept safe and valued for its immeasurable worth.
17. “Friendship” by Kahlil Gibran (1923)
Excerpts:
Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger and you seek him for peace.
Analysis: Gibran uses the metaphor of a “field” to depict friendship as a space for mutual growth, where one can cultivate love and understanding. The comparison to a “board and fireside” further suggests that friendship provides comfort, sustenance, and warmth, essential elements for a fulfilling life. Friendship, for Gibran, is a nurturing environment where both individuals benefit.
Conclusion
The 17 poems explored in this article demonstrate the rich power of simile and metaphor in representing the complexity of friendship. Through these figures of speech, poets have captured the transient, enduring, comforting, and transformative qualities of friendship. Whether it is seen as a tree, a river, a star, or a treasure, the metaphors offer a deeper understanding of how this vital human bond nurtures and shapes our lives. Friendship, in all its forms, is portrayed not just as an emotional connection but as an enduring force that transcends time and circumstance.
