Favorite Poem

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters
by Portia Nelson

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 forever to find 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

Taken from the book "Inspiration Sandwich" by SARK 1992, page 120