The poem Lexi reads to Rue (Zendaya) at the start of the play is "Let This Darkness Be a Bell Tower" by Rainer Maria Rilke. While the meaning behind any poem can be debatable, this poem that Lexi chooses seems to send a message to Rue that even though everything is bad right now, she can get through it.
One stanza reads, "What batters you becomes your strength. Move back and forth into the change. What is it like, such intensity of pain? If the drink is bitter, turn yourself to wine." These words feel like a message of support from Lexi to Rue, especially considering she knows Rue is hurting from her dad's death and because she becomes aware of Rue's increasing substance abuse issues and wants better for her.
