I guess what I am really asking myself is if I want to continue this friendship.

I don't walk away from people - ever. I have never ended a friendship. I have had a few drift but never made a conscious decision to end a one.

I am aware that I may regret it if I do (not least because this is a friendship circle of 4 people, two of whom I do want in my life). My intention was to fade out gently but the passive aggressive comments (such as the poet laureate one) have me on edge. Was this person always like this and I just didn't see or have I incurred their darker side after our December fall out?