Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

by Portia Nelson

• I. I walk down the street.
  • There's 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 a different street.

hmmm deep stuff man.

once i fell in a hole too.
it was a bottomless pit.
The only thing pulling me further and further
was the one thing i thought i loved.

Ill still remember the feeling
of sinking
deeper and deeper
not knowing if i would make it out
if i would breathe the air again

One day she came along and threw me a rope
i eventually got out and
she helped me to stand upright
and thats where ive been ever since.

but since shes gone now
i cant help but peer into the abyss

and im loosing my footing.