By Portia Nelson

I

I walk down the street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I fall in.

I didn’t see it.

I am lost… I am helpless.

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.

I just couldn’t avoid it.

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.

What was I thinking?!

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.