Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

1) I walk, down the street
       There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
       I fall in.
       I am lost...I am hopeless.
              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 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 another street.

Copyright Portia Nelson, 1980