These leaves in sunlight
clustered together,
colors lit,
bring to mind
the sound
of children laughing.
Those big belly laughs
and giggles that ripple out
from play
and keep on going
so that even the adults nearby
can’t help laughing, too.

— Kate McKinney

This trail beckons
with each curve and bend,
each long shadow,
each glowing leaf,
the blue haze in the distance—
trees waiting
to be seen.

—Kate McKinney

What shock! What glory!

To look up.
To see a golden-leafed maple.

To start a day
with the knowledge
that there is beauty
despite chaos and pain.

To realize
this tree is a tree
and without
doing more
or less

light is made splendid
through it
as it grows
toward the blue.

—Kate McKinney