Autobiography in five short chapters

By Portia Nelson

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 am 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 there
I still fall in…..it’s a habit
My eyes are open
I know where I am
It’s 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 another street