Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

I know it’s Friday, but I’m going deep anyway.

Have you heard of Portia Nelson? You may remember her as the cantakerous Sister Berthe in the film version of The Sound of Music. She was also a popular cabaret singer in New York City in the 1950s and a painter and writer throughout her life. And she’s known for writing the poem “Autobiography in Five Short Chapters.” Do you know it?

A friend shared the poem with me years ago. I thought of it today because I was thinking about holes—the ones we fall into as well as the ones we dig for ourselves. Is there a hole that you keep falling into? I don’t remember the exact set of circumstances that caused my friend to share this with me. Could that mean I’ve reached Chapter 5? On that issue at least? One can hope.

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters
by Portia Nelson

1
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.

2
I walk down the 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.

3
I walk down the 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.

4
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

5
I walk down another street.

I hope you find your way to another street if there’s a hole that keeps pulling you in. And I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Here are a few fun things to send you on your way.

• This clever idea opens up so many possibilities.
• How About Orange has a nice round-up of DIY tutorials here.
• Inchmark has the clever idea of tracing her and her children’s hands onto the endpapers of new books.
• Do you really need a reason to have an Ice Cream Party? The creative geniuses at One Charming Party give you all need to throw a great party right here.
• I’m supposed to be knitting a sweater for a goddaughter’s birthday, but then I saw this adorable dress. So many choices, so little time.
• Day 63 of the 100 Push-Ups Challenge.