Firecrackers crack, and a large limbcrashes down over the power linetoo close to the house, like firebut smelling like laurel or peppermint.Then a sound like rain,heavy wind blowing through the gum tree,limbs weighed down with leaves and seed balls.The little cat is a gentle rain, preening herself,leaves trembling under the eaves, cat hairs on my lap,gray, gray like the fog, licking herselflike waves washing gently into sand, patient,soft. A truck passes on the streetand her claws press into my thigh.