I've been in a poetry critique group for years. Lately, the group has dwindled to 3 or 4 of us. I also meet privately with two women formerly of the group. I find the private critiques to be very worthwhile.

The group, on the other hand, hovers between frustrating and useless. Last month's meeting, Woman1 brought in a piece that she was working on until 5 minutes before the group met. She said "it isn't really finished but..." Some meetings she hasn't even xeroxed it yet. Other times, she xeroxes her illegible handwriting ("Didn't have time to type.") However, she often has valuable comments on my work; she just is never ready to be critiqued.

Guy1 is always ready but his work is simplistic and not terribly good. His critique of my work? "this is a poem about depression. You shouldn't be depressed." :which is an entire sentence longer than he usually says.

Guy2 didn't have a poem this month, but he offered to critique the others. His "critique" consisted of a 6-line poem that he wrote about my piece, on my poem copy. He then spent 5 minutes taking digital pictures of his poem.

I just need to vent.

I cancelled this month's meeting because I'm too busy. I want to cancel next month's too. If I don't show up, no one shows up. I know I'm not responsible for playing Den Mother to this group of animal crackers, but I almost feel bad for dumping them. Almost.

Maybe we'll meet once in January, and then I'll officially quit.

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In the mean time, I've been introduced to a weekly writers' critique group of anything-but-poetry. I've gone twice and many of the comments have been valuable (except for the woman who suggested I turn my 300-word essay into a novel. (I told her, "You write it. I have no desire to write a novel." But she meant well.)

If I go to this group every 2 or 3 weeks, that leaves no time for the Dysfunctional Poetry Triplets. I've made my decision, but I still feel bad about hosing the other group.