Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

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 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 this 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 there. 

            I still fall in...it's a habit...but,

                                     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.

                                            Portia Nelson

                                            There's a Hole in My Sidewalk