Anyone who has enjoyed Julia Park Tracey's novel, blog, short stories or voluminous journalistic output will be gladdened by the advent of her new book of poetry, Amaryllis: Collected Poems. It provides the missing piece in understanding the oeuvre of this significant woman of letters. Like the title lily itself, throughout these selections, Park steadily and consistently pushes her head toward life and light. In cruder hands, personal trauma becomes whiney but, in Tracey's nimble fingers, it becomes a cat's cradle of gold, for here, dawn is invoked more often than dusk. In this volume, Park reveals herself primarily as a lover -- of place (specifically California), of family and of growth. California is Tracey's home and spawning ground. She fondly travels its unique landscape and subtle turn of seasons. Avoiding any cliché of surf or redwoods, hers is the personal California of live oaks, tawny fields, mushrooms and year-round backyard gardens. Her eye seeks the top line of the hills in their greening and the ripest red vine fruit, translating these into portraits haunting in their deeply evocative beauty. In Amaryllis, we are privy to turning points in a woman's quest for learning, strength and affirmation. Tracey's awareness of her own power seems to draw more of it to her. Ultimately, we applaud this poet's sassy self-respect, born of "keepin' on, keepin' on" and transcendence. With her we celebrate the images of thanksgiving arising from her hard-earned good life. A box of commercial amaryllis bulbs declares, "These beautiful flowers will bloom for years!" So will this beautiful volume. So will this abundant poet. -- Karen Braun Malpas Contact Julia herself at julia.editrix@gmail.com to purchase this title