poem: Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

I want to write about the 5 Rhythms workshop I did this weekend, and while I'm still integrating it so I can be coherent, I want to share this poem. My friend Karin Carlson once had a poster with this poem on it, and I remembered the ideas--but not that it was a poem! Lo and behold, it showed up as today's Panhala selection!


Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

Chapter 1

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 2

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 3

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.

Chapter 4

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

Chapter 5

I walk down another street.


~ Portia Nelson ~
(There's a Hole in My Sidewalk)