This is a pretty average poetry collection. The majority of the poems are rather run-of-the mill, with a few stand-outs: the title poem, "Special Orders," "Cold Calls," and "After a Long Insomniac Night" come to mind. Overall nothing to get too excited about, and I wouldn't seek out another collection by Hirsch. Three stars. ( )

I'm more than halfway to the grave but I'm not half the man I wanted to become.
Longing for those who went before.
Swimming away.