Tuesday, February 24, 2009

An autobiography in 5 chapters (it's short, really)

I saw this and really liked the simplicity and depth:

AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN FIVE SHORT CHAPTERS
by Portia Nelson
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 same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

V

I walk down another street.

PS It doesn't really have anything to do with anything going on right now, so don't strain yourself guessing. I just saw it recently. Unless it would be low abdominal strength which really doesn't warrant poetry.

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