Special Orders

Special Orders is Edward Hirsch's eighth collection of poetry, published in 2008. The volume contains personal poems about loss, grief, and memory. The collection is structured in four sections, with works reflecting on the deaths of Hirsch's father and a close friend. The poems move between past and present as they explore family relationships and the process of mourning. The verses incorporate references to art, literature and Jewish traditions while maintaining accessibility. Hirsch employs both free verse and formal structures throughout the collection. At its core, the book examines how humans navigate profound loss while finding ways to honor those who have passed. The poems suggest that memory and artistic expression can serve as bridges between the living and the dead.

Most readers connect with Hirsch's intimate reflections on loss, particularly the poems about his father's death. Many note the accessibility of his language and imagery compared to his previous works. Likes: - Raw emotional honesty in describing grief - Clear, straightforward writing style - Personal narratives that feel universal - Strong sense of Jewish identity and family themes Dislikes: - Some find the tone overly sentimental - A few readers say earlier collections showed more craft/complexity - Repetitive themes throughout the book Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (63 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (11 reviews) Notable reader comments: "These poems hit hard but heal at the same time" - Goodreads reviewer "Not his strongest work but still moving" - Poetry Foundation forum member "The father-son poems reduced me to tears" - Amazon review "Sometimes too on-the-nose with emotions" - Goodreads reviewer

Late in the Day by Sharon Olds This collection explores grief, aging, and familial bonds through personal narratives that mirror Hirsch's intimate reflections on loss and memory.

What the Living Do by Marie Howe The poems chronicle the death of a brother and the subsequent navigation of daily life with the same raw emotional truth found in Special Orders.

Time and Materials by Robert Hass These meditations on personal history and mortality share Hirsch's commitment to examining life's defining moments through clear, precise language.

Without by Donald Hall The collection documents the loss of Hall's wife through poems that echo Hirsch's unflinching examination of love and bereavement.

The Art of Drowning by Billy Collins Collins explores everyday moments and memories with the same attention to detail and accessibility that characterizes Hirsch's work in Special Orders.

🔖 "Special Orders" deals extensively with grief, particularly Hirsch's response to his father's death - a theme that resonates throughout his body of work 🌟 Edward Hirsch wrote many of the poems in this collection while serving as president of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, a position he's held since 2002 📚 The collection's title comes from the poem "Special Orders," which reflects on Hirsch's father's career as a box company executive and the metaphorical significance of boxes in life and death 🎨 The book is structured in four distinct sections, each exploring different aspects of loss, memory, and the passage of time through both personal and historical lenses 💫 Several poems in the collection draw inspiration from Hirsch's Jewish heritage and weave together family history with broader cultural traditions, particularly in pieces like "The Hademers" and "The Emigrants"