Habits
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.
Technorati tags: Portia Nelson, poetry, habits
LOVE that! Especially Ch. V
I'm appalled by how many people don't get the concept of personal responsibility.
Posted by Candace | 9/26/2006 11:05:00 AM
nice.
i usually blow up the street.
Posted by (S)wine | 9/26/2006 12:47:00 PM
Thats a great way of puting it - can be applied to so many trivial things in our lives - would like to think I never get to the third time on the street!
Rach
www.firstmemories.blogspot.com
Posted by Rach | 9/26/2006 01:50:00 PM
Yes, isn't it a great poem! Wish I could say that I wrote it! :)
El Charolastra: Love your solution to the problem...will definitely break you of that habit!
Posted by Angela | 9/26/2006 07:39:00 PM
Fool me once shame on me..
Step on a crack and break your Mother's back...
Live and learn..
I am out of cliches and that poem was wonderful....
Posted by Romeo Morningwood | 9/27/2006 02:05:00 PM
The defenition of insanity - doing the same thing over and over and over again and expecting different results.
When you finally realize it and make the change in you...you walk down the other street!
Posted by Anonymous | 9/27/2006 06:51:00 PM