The poem is composed of four sections that explore different themes. The first section references the four cardinal directions and references the fall of humanity. The second section discusses the interconnectedness of oneself and others. The third section describes a car crash in vivid detail. The final section uses the metaphor of being tested and purified by fire. Overall, the poem reflects on human existence, relationships, mortality, and spirituality through vivid imagery and metaphors.

1. Thou Shalt Write
A Poem Inspired by the Lyrical Genius of Alex Reed
Brittany Benton
Cardinal Directions
The North
is the Winter,
The South
is the Fall
As Eve ate the apple
She doomed us all to a life that is no life
A life without Life
A life of pain.
Where strangers rape your daughters,
As kin kills kin killing strangers.
Until we cry to the heavens
DEAR GOD
What did I do to deserve this?
And you travel as far as
The East
is from
The West.
Inside of You, In Spite of You
I am the air
I fill your lungs
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
I am a part of you
I am your shadow
Cast upon the ground
Jump
I will jump with you
And catch you when you fall

2. I am.
I am
You.
You
Apart from
Me
Are
Nothing.
When I Crash
One second
Passes
Barely noticed
Until the impact.
A blinding flash of
Fluorescent light behind your eyes
Cracking
Crunching
Crystal splinters sprinkle over the asphalt.
Stone impacts
Glass crashes
Crushed glass
Smashes into the body.
You will be broken
When I crash with you.
Come A Time
There will come a time;
A time, in time
Where time itself stands still.
A time forgotten
A time still unseen
A time that will come
When your breath
Is but a memory.
And your heart
Will beat its
Last, lonely beat.

3. Trial By Fire
Fire burns away the impurities
Of a life you once had.
Flames scorch your flesh
Burnt hair is the scent
That wafts on the breeze.
A test to see
What is inside of you.
For we of flesh and bone and blood
Are made of dust
And return to the earth.
The fire burns
Scorches and scalds
Flesh is charred
Crumbling and breaking from the body.
Until all that is left
Is a pure human soul
Or else...
Nothing at all.