Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

by Portia Nelson

Chapter One

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.

Chapter Two

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.

Chapter Three

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I see it is still 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.

Chapter Four

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

Chapter Five

I walk down another street.