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Reading Group Guide

Holes the Crickets Have Eaten in Blankets Poems by Robert Bly

Each of the 11 poems in this collection speak to family and relationship and to the grief that comes with the death of a family member. In poems that acknowledge the reality of death in our lives, Robert Bly shows us how we could cope with such breaks, which resemble "holes the crickets have eaten in the wool."

Discussion Topics

In the poem, "Assateague Island," the speaker holds back most of his thoughts from those around him. Why does he hold back his grief to himself? How is this type of isolation found today?
The idea of a return to a "simple life" has often been present in literature. How is this idea illustrated in "The Bear and the Man?" Which creature seems to be more in touch with what is really important?
Is there a moral theme in "Holes of Our Speech?" If so, how can it be applied to our everyday lives?
When speaking of the "holes the crickets have eaten in the wool," is the poet referring to something that happens due to neglect, or is this occurance something that is unavoidable?
One of the recurring themes in the book is that of the conflict between man and nature. However, we also see the harmony that so often exists between the two forces. After reading the poems, does one of these themes seem more true than the other?