Traumatism:

1. Pathology. The action of a wound or external injury in producing a morbid condition; the condition so produced.

2. Psychology and Psychiatry. A morbid condition of the psyche resulting from repression to the unconscious of emotional wounds or shock which are unacceptable to the conscious mind. Also loosely in general use, a shock or unpleasantly startling experience.

Julia Lewis' TRAUMATISM works through accretion and repetition, through the geological and personal, through sound play and juxtaposition. The poet whispers to us "it is things are what they are where they are rotating," and that's a clue to reading the book. The concepts seem so clear and then the weight of context and repetition shows that they are much more than we initially imagine. In essence, the poet asks us to recalibrate with each poem, which makes for a fascinating experience.

-William Allegrezza