Poem In Five Chapters by Portia Nelson

Chapter 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.

Chapter 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.

Chapter 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 is a habit. My eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.

Chapter IV

I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.

Chapter V

I walk down another street.