Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

Chapter I. 

I walk down the street.

There's 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 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.

Chapter 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.

Chapter IV. 

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I walk around it.

Chapter V. 

I walk down a different street.

... Autobiography in Five Short Chapters, Portia Nelson