Starfish on a Beach

Starfish on a Beach: The Pandemic Poems grew out of the first months of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Randall began writing these poems out of and about the phenomenon, one or three and day. When some were posted on Facebook, readers responded immediately to identify with her take on what we were all experiencing. These poems reflect the fear, isolation, and horror we felt as society -- as we watched public life close down, people were urged to stay distant from one another, wear face masks, and wash our hands frequently. Many of us lost jobs; some of us lost businesses. We saw beloved family members and friends sicken and some of them die. We watched helplessly as sources of income disappeared and the future seemed uncertain. But I also began thinking about other aspects of life through the lens of this situation: Have we brought this plague upon ourselves by our carelessness and lack of accountability to global warming? Does our social organization really meet our needs? Do we have the healthcare we need and deserve? Why are some communities suffering so much more than others? How might we think about changing what doesn't work? These poems reflect all this and more. They are offered in concern, anger, and also hope for a different future. These poems predate the killing of George Floyd, so the focus remains on health and isolation.