Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

 

By Portia Nelson

 

I.

I walk down the street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I fall in.

I am lost… I am helpless.

It takes me forever to find a way out.

 

II.

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I pretend I don’t see it.

I fall in again.

I can’t believe I’m in the same place again,

but it isn’t my fault.

It still takes a long time to get out.

 

III.

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I see it is there.

I still fall in… it is a habit.

My eyes are open.

I know where I am and why I am here.

I get out immediately.

 

IV.

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I walk around it.

 

V.

I walk down a different street.