There’s A Hole In My Sidewalk
“Autobiography in Five Short Chapters”
by Portia Nelson

 

This poem, also known as “Hole in My Sidewalk” has become widely known in many addiction recovery circles.  I love the simple and yet powerful way that Portia describes recovery.

 

Chapter One

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.

Chapter Two

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 Three

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 Four

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

Chapter Five

I walk down another street.

 

 

RESOURCES

• Get resources to help women addicted to porn:  www.christianwomenandporn.com/pornography-addiction-resources
  
  
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