Opposites Attract: An Idiom and Friendship Poem for Kids. Leap Before You Look
- Mark Bird
- Apr 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 15
The Story Behind My Best Friend’s Debut: A friendship poem for kids
Friendship is a curious thing. Sometimes, we bond with people who mirror us, sharing the same likes, dislikes, and energy. But other times—more often than we realise—it’s the differences that bring us together. That’s what inspired my poem, My Best Friend’s Debut.
This is an “opposites attract” poem, showing how two kids—one quiet, one noisy—become inseparable, learning from each other in unexpected ways. It’s a friendship poem for kids, but really, it’s for anyone who’s ever found a friend in the most unlikely place.
My Best Friend’s Debut
You arrived
at my school yesterday
I saw you through Mrs Poole’s window
staring in at us
Unafraid
We were learning about idioms
For some reason
you chose to smile at me
How I wanted to tell you
there are far cooler kids
to give your first smile to
Minutes later
thanks to serendipity
you were sat beside me
Your hair was majestic
So unlike mine
But from that moment in time
Your noise and my quiet
found rhythm
found rhyme
We became inseparable
that day
The day we both still keep
When I first taught you
Look before you leap
When you first taught me
to take a leaf out of your book
to throw caution to the wind
and leap before you look
Mark Bird
What Inspired This Poem?
We’ve all had that moment—meeting someone new and feeling an instant connection, even when you seem completely different. In this poem, one child is reserved, cautious, and observant. The other is bold, lively, and ready to jump in without hesitation.
At first, the quieter child wonders, “Why me?” But as the story unfolds, they discover that their differences are what make the friendship special.
The final lines highlight a beautiful exchange:
"Look before you leap" became my lesson to them."Leap before you look" became theirs to me.
This is the heart of the poem—the idea that true friends balance each other. They help us grow, challenge our ways of thinking, and show us perspectives we might never have considered.
Why Kids Love Opposites-Attract Friendships
Children naturally gravitate toward stories that celebrate friendship, especially when they see themselves reflected in the characters. This poem embraces the joy of unlikely friendships, making it a great friendship poem for kids.
It also introduces a playful look at idioms—“Look before you leap” versus “Leap before you look”—which can spark curiosity and conversation in classrooms or at home.
A Poem for Every Best Friend
Whether you’re the loud one or the quiet one, we all need a friend who balances us. My Best Friend’s Debut is a reminder that sometimes, the best friendships are the ones we never saw coming.
Does this poem remind you of your own best friend? Share it with them and celebrate the magic of friendship with this friendship poem for kids!
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