in five short chapters by Portia Nelson

Chapter One:

I walk down the street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I am lost… I am helpless

It isn’t my fault

I fall in

It takes forever to get 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 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.