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 am 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 deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter 5