I walk down the street.

I
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 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 am in the same place.  
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's a habit.  
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
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 another street.  

“Autobiography in Five Short Chapters”

 

Portia Nelson ( 1920 – 2001 )