05 September 2009

autobiography in 5 short chapters


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

V
I walk down another street.



Autobiography in Five Short Chapters
by Portia Nelson
"There's a Hole In My Sidewalk: The Romance of Self-Discovery"






When I was younger, and much less *seasoned*
I made some major life decision by tossing a coin.
Seemed like a good idea at the time!
It rolled, and landed, leaning up against something.
The coin actually landed on it's side.
Now what?
There is always another way to look at things.


17 comments:

  1. I adore this. I've used it for years. With my students, and my co-workers. With myself. I've adored this for years!!!

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  2. I'm finally walking down a different street.

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  3. Thats a really cool poem! I may have to repost it somewhere.

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  4. I love that! Thanks for sharing it!

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  5. i tend to find holes in most streets, just had to learn to hop over them. it can become like a game! :)

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  6. I called the city and had them fix the damn hole! What am I paying taxes for, after all?

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  7. Wonderful story. I'll be sharing this one a lot. Thanks.

    I've be on the run for a week and just getting caught up again. Hope all's well with you.

    xo

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  8. I've fallen into the same holes way too many times. Finally, I'm on the lookout for the holes, no matter what street I'm on.

    Thanks for this. It is my story, too.

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  9. Loved this!

    And Jack's comment made my spurt Diet Pepsi out my nose. Carbonated beverages coming out the nose does NOT feel good ...

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  10. It feels like I'd been revisiting the old neighborhood. Today, I'm taking the train out of town.

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  11. That is a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it, Anne! Hope things are going well with you. :)

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  12. That was a very refreshing and thought provoking poem.

    Thanks for sharing.

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  13. Hi Anne, I loved that and how it relates to what I am trying to do, sometimes breaking habits are hard, and making different choices can get you to where you need to go. Take care.

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  14. Took me along time to find a new street to walk down!

    thanks for sharing!

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