»Autobiography in Five Short Chapters« by Portia Nelson from the book »There’s A Hole in My Sidewalk«.
This poem beautifully describes the stages of transformation and learning in a simple and concise way. It emphasizes the importance of honest self-reflection, and the power of taking full responsibility.
(emphasis in italics by me)
🕳️ 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.