A poem to ponder

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.

This poem was given to me by a counselor, Pam Linton. I took it & posted it on my typing tray at The Preston Citizen. I needed to see this often. A lady with whom I shared the job didn't like it & took it down. I am so glad I had posted it on my Thoughts to Ponder page or I may have lost it.