I Walk Down Another Street

I:
I walk down the street.
   There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
      I fall in.
         I am lost…
            I am helpless.
               It is not my fault.
                  It takes forever to find my 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.
            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 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.

- Portia Nelson