Autobiography In 5 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 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 wide 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.
By Portia Nelson