Every night he rampages across our tin roof, night dueling with other toms chorusing strangled cries; murderous children running amok.

My childhood was filled with animals. Domestic and native - from stray cats and roaming dogs to backyard magpies, blue tongue lizards and more exotic, deadly tiger snakes. We co-existed in a haphazard kind of way. Mostly because of my parents I grew up feeling intrigue and respect for other creatures rather than fear. My piece circles a moment when, although I was striving to be responsible and do 'the right thing', my actions went against my nature.

Polly Watkins has written and directed documentaries and short films. Her evocative account of smell-walking through Melbourne's lanes and arcades, 'Scents and the City', was published as part of 2017 Melbourne Knowledge Week. She was recently published in RMIT's Suspiria Anthology.

Acknowledgements:

Memoria is written,  produced, edited and presented by Natalie V.

Rage is written and read by Polly Watkins.  The story is sound edited by Jen Farrow.

Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions,   Sage the Hunter, When in the West and The Envelope.

Illustrations by Peta Manning. Her book, See Me Doodle, is out now.