A Poem by Portia Nelson: Autobiography in Five Chapters

[Hope]

A Poem by Portia Nelson:
Autobiography in Five Chapters

1) I walk down the street.
.... There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
.... I fall in.
.... I am lost — I am helpless.
.... It isn't my fault.
.... It takes forever to find a way out.

2) 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.
.... But it isn't my fault.
.... It still takes a long time to get out.

3) I walk down the same street.
.... There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
.... I see it is there.
.... I still fall in — it's a habit
.... My eyes are open
.... I know where I am
.... It is MY fault.
.... I get out immediately.

4)  I walk down the same street.
.... There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
.... I walk around it.

5) I walk down a different street.