Most of the writers' poems are, as circle member Sandra Margulius described them, very powerfully woman. So the women write about pregnancy, children, husbands, Tupperware, sexuality, Barbies, baths, menopause and self-denial. They'll bring their writings from home to the circle for critique. Members, she said, become comfortable in not taking suggestions or learning not to take critiques personally. We all feel really free to rib each other.
Nothing is sacred.
The circle is like a community, with each session a dialogue rather than instruction. The writers carry that dialogue through with audience members at poetry readings, embellishing them with elements of performance art. In one poem, the writer tosses a ball to audience members, who toss it back. The first few times, we were shaking in our pants. The circle will be wrapping up its area book tour soon - the next reading is March 21 at the Schwartz Bookshop on Downer Ave.