Chapter 3, I think . . .

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

By Portia Nelson

Chapter 1

I walk down the street.

       There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I fall in.

I am lost…I become helpless.

       It isn’t my fault.

It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter 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.

Chapter 3

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.

Chapter 4

I walk down the same street.

       There is a hole in the sidewalk.

       I walk around it.

Chapter 5

I walk down another street.