She bounced side to side, arms swaying to the music. The beat changed. Her hair lifted as she leapt in the air. Delightedly, the room spun while she twirled, head back, laughing.

Her smile broadened.

And though just a memory from her convalescent bed, she swore she was dancing still.

Christa Planko, MA, is a professional writer with a passion for creative expression. She has had her poetry and short stories featured in several publications, including River Poets Journal, Tanka and Haiku Journal, Poetry Quarterly, and Every Day Fiction. Recently, her story, “The Olde-Tyme Village,” won the 2021 WordCrafter Short Fiction Contest. Christa resides in South Jersey with her feline muses. For her bio and list of published works, visit christascorner.godaddysites.com.