Resurrecting Poetry Ptuesday because I came across this poem and loved it.

Chapter 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.

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 another street.

 

Wikipedia says the poem is popular with those in recovery for addiction, but I also see it as very applicable to my anxiety. We are so much more in control of our emotions than we might realize at any given time unless we make the conscious effort to be mindful. I found this poem a nice way to remind myself of the power I have to direct my narrative.

Poetry Ptuesday: Autobiography in Five Short Chapters by Portia Nelson