They Had Us Read This Poem in Therapy

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 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.