How Not to Fall Into a Pit

Portia Nelson was an actress.  She played a nun in the Sound of Music.  But she later became a great activist in relapse prevention.  She wrote this poem which had been used in many “12 steps” and other recovery programs.

A POETIC INTERLUDE: 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 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 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.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:  What do you do now to avoid making the same mistakes?  Where do you think you are (which chapter) in this poem?