SUFFOCATION.

Sophie Syncope suffocated her sixth child, placed the pink pillow over the small head, held it there, against the struggling for breath, until still, until dead. Sophie waited, listened, held her breath, watched for movement. None came; she removed the pillow, stood holding it by her side. The sixth child lay closed eyed, opened mouthed, small hands in tight fists. Sophie dropped pillow, put childs hands crossed one over the other. Dead child, crucified mother. Pushed

mouth closed, moved head upright, steadied. She placed her palms on the childs cheeks, felt smooth skin, knew the stilled cancer within. Cut short the suffering, snuffed out the cancers route, released her childs spirit to boot.