Journey out of Script - a poem

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

by Portia Nelson

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 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.