Editor's note
Ranking is generated by Storgy's classification model, which scores each poem's thematic depth on this subject relative to the rest of the corpus. The list is re-indexed weekly as new poems enter the public-domain corpus.
Best poems about — Storgy
friendship.
Twenty-five poems, ranked.
25 of the finest public-domain poems about friendship, ranked by thematic depth. Scored by Storgy's classification model against the rest of the corpus, and re-indexed weekly as new works enter the canon.
The leading three
01
De Amicitiis
Eugene Field
“A book-loving man relaxes in bed, surrounded by his cherished old volumes, and happily declares they are his dearest friends—better than wine, better than being…”
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02
Three Friends of Mine
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“Longfellow writes two sonnets mourning three close friends who have passed away, expressing sorrow that only memories remain in place of their once-vibrant pres…”
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03
Auld Lang Syne
Robert Burns · 1788
“Two old friends lift their cups in unison, reminiscing about the joyful times of their youth—the hills they raced across, the streams they jumped into, and the…”
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The complete index
- 04
Agassiz
James Russell Lowell
Lowell penned this lengthy elegy upon hearing about the unexpected death of his dear friend Louis Agassiz, the renowned naturalist. He transitions from the shock of the telegraph's…
- 05
An Invitation
James Russell Lowell
Lowell writes a heartfelt, lengthy poem to his old friend John Francis Heath, who has spent the last nine years living abroad. He believes that everything — history, beauty, advent…
- 06
As I Lay with My Head in Your Lap Camerado
Walt Whitman
Whitman rests his head in a companion's lap and shares a candid truth: he’s a troublemaker at heart, his words can stir up chaos, and he’s been leading this friend on an uncharted…
- 07
Dedication, to Leigh Hunt, Esq
Percy Bysshe Shelley
Shelley pens a sincere dedication to his dear friend Leigh Hunt, celebrating Hunt's character and sharing his reasons for honoring him with this piece. He acknowledges that his pas…
- 08
Epistles
John Keats
Keats's "Epistles" consists of verse letters written to friends and fellow poets, joyfully celebrating the pleasures of reading, writing, and imagination. These poems have a warm,…
- 09
Epitaph
Percy Bysshe Shelley
This short poem serves as an inscription for two close friends who passed away and were buried side by side. Shelley expresses a wish for their graves—and the memories of them—to r…
- 10
Estrangement
James Russell Lowell
**ESTRANGEMENT** is a brief three-stanza poem reflecting on a friendship that has quietly slipped away. The once-frequent path between two people is now overgrown with grass, as it…
- 11
From the Italian of Dante
Percy Bysshe Shelley
Shelley translates a sonnet by Dante, where Dante envisions sailing off on a magical ship with his two closest friends — Guido Cavalcanti and Lapo Gianni — along with their cherish…
- 12
Hiawatha's Friends
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
This part of Longfellow's epic poem introduces Hiawatha's two closest friends: Chibiabos, a musician whose talent is so remarkable that even nature pauses to hear him, and Kwasind,…
- 13
Hiawatha's Lamentation
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
When Hiawatha's dear friend Chibiabos disregards warnings and is pulled under a frozen lake by malevolent spirits, Hiawatha is devastated by sorrow. Eventually, medicine men restor…
- 14
Love and Friendship
Emily Brontë
Emily Brontë's "Love and Friendship" juxtaposes two emotional forces by likening love to a wild rose and friendship to a holly tree. The rose flourishes vibrantly in summer but wit…
- 15
Lyman, Frederick, and Jim
Eugene Field
Three wealthy friends—Lyman, Frederick, and Jim—set sail on a spontaneous adventure, outsmart a group of pirates, and enjoy the time of their lives on the high seas. The poem playf…
- 16
Rosalind and Helen
Percy Bysshe Shelley
Two women, Rosalind and Helen, reunite by a lake after years of separation and share the painful stories of their lives — tales of lost love, heartache, and grief. It's essentially…
- 17
The Boat on the Serchio
Percy Bysshe Shelley
Two friends, Melchior and Lionel, enjoy a lazy summer morning preparing their boat to sail down the Serchio river in Tuscany. They joke with each other and reminisce about their sc…
- 18
To Aelius Lamia
Horace
Horace urges his Muse to set aside thoughts of wars and far-off kings—his focus is on crafting a beautiful poem that celebrates his friend Lamia. He asks the Muse to create a garla…
- 19
To a Friend
Horace
A storm is raging outside, and Horace tells his friends: forget your worries, pour the wine, and let music lift your spirits. He supports this advice with a story about the wise ce…
- 20
To Charles Cowden Clarke
John Keats
Keats pens a lengthy, heartfelt letter in verse to his friend and mentor, Charles Cowden Clarke, sharing his feelings of shyness and self-doubt that kept him from writing sooner. H…
- 21
To George Felton Mathew
John Keats
Keats writes this poem in honor of his friend and fellow poet George Felton Mathew, celebrating their mutual passion for poetry while lamenting that his hectic city life hinders hi…
- 22
To His Companions
Horace
Horace is at a drinking party with his friends, aiming to keep the atmosphere civilized — no fighting, no shouting, just good wine and genuine conversation. He encourages one of hi…
- 23
To Pompeius Varus
Horace
Horace joyfully greets his old war buddy Pompey upon his return to Rome after years spent in exile and battling on the losing side of the civil wars. He reflects on the Battle of P…
- 24
To Virgil
Horace
Horace writes to his friend Virgil to express his sorrow over the loss of their mutual friend Quinctilius Varus, a well-regarded literary critic who passed away around 24 BCE. He r…
- 25
An Epistle to George William Curtis
James Russell Lowell
Lowell writes a lengthy verse letter to his friend George William Curtis, commending Curtis's character and civic bravery. He then reflects on his own inner turmoil: while he cheri…
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