The article is an attempt to analyze the motif of trauma and exclusion in „Krótka wymiana ognia” by Zyta Rudzka. The writer used poetics based primarily on fragmentarily, understatements and diversely language stylization showed the difficulty of constructing stories problematizing the scandal of old age, the problem of exclusion and “heredity” of (post)holocaust experiences. The author of „Pałac Cezarów” proves the trauma, on the one hand, is written in the (ageing) human body, and the other hand, old age (as a process) may turn out to be a traumatic experience. In addition, trauma can be a consequence of social stigmatization, but as well as the result of life decisions made.