You have opened a cage door and a little brown bird has flown out. She has flown up into the branches of a pittosporum tree and sits there amongst the dark green leaves looking around her. She hops from one branch to another, stretches her wings, then settles and begins to sing - a deep and melodious warble that lilts and repeats.

The sound weaves a spell as it vibrates through the airy spaces between the leaves and drifts out across the sunshine of the garden. It entrances the listener in the garden and brings him dreams of golden light reflecting off water.

In his golden dream, he walks by the water, his eyes dazzled by the gluts of golden sunlight that the rippled surface throws at him. He shields his eyes as he looks into the light and feels on his face the warm breeze coming off the water. The sky is piled high with banks of clouds - puffs and streaks of white, pink and gold rise like mountains in the early light.

The sweet and powerful melody of the bird seems to pulse in time with the breeze and the rhythm of the sparkling water. The listener stands, hot and heavy, transfixed by the sinuous music of sound and light.

The little brown bird sits on a branch in the deep shade of the tree throwing her song into the air to mingle with the sunlight and the warm breeze. Her song continues, rising and falling, sometimes pausing, but never ceasing.

The listener stands by the shore and cannot leave.

The listener sat in the garden, relaxed and quiet on the bench. His presence was as benign as the mass of grevillea behind him. He sat back with his legs outstretched, thinking pleasant thoughts.

A small breeze rustled the leaves of the trees and the bird sang its lilting song.

The morning hours passed and the sun rose in the sky making the shadows creep across the garden. At midday the listener found himself in full bright sunlight. He stirred, rubbed his hands across his face and looked around with new eyes. He stretched and stood up a little stiffly.

He seemed to hesitate as he looked at the bright noon colours of the leafy garden. Peace reigned - the warm air glowed in the sunlight and enticed in the shade. He moved across the grass to the deep shadow beneath the dark green leaves of the pittosporum.

The refreshing shade brought a smile to his face as he looked up into the canopy of the tree. He stared for a long time at the tracery pattern of the dark leaves against the bright blue sky. The bird's song was stronger here and he looked among the branches to see what bird was making this music. He saw only the grey-black trunk and branches patterned with silver patches of lichen and the gracefully spread leaves hanging in the shadows.

The bird's song seemed to ring louder and took his thoughts to liquid glints of golden water. He settled under the tree to enjoy the song and his golden thoughts.

The afternoon passed and still the listener lingered in the garden - dreaming of a boat with pearly sails that glided in the golden light. The sunlight softened and the shadows deepened. He sat up and looked again for the bird that gave him music for his dreaming. He saw a brown bird on a low branch - her head lifted as the song welled from her throat.

He slowly got to his feet and moved towards the bird. She paused in her song and looked at him from one bright eye. He responded with a tilt of his head and reached his hand out. The bird changed her balance and took up her song again. The listener moved a little closer, his arm reaching out to make an inviting perch for the bird.

The bird's song softened a little to a quieter warble - the notes wrapped around the listener as he looked up at the singer and came closer again. Her song was meant for him - he knew this as he felt the music pass through his whole body bringing new warmth. He felt his yearning wish flow out and up to encompass the singing bird, the tree and the infinite sky.

At that moment, the bird flew down and settled on his outstretched hand.

His heart leapt as he cupped both hands and felt the sharp feet and soft silvery feathers. The bird shivered and turned to liquid gold in his hands, sending a tingle up his arms. He found himself touching one of his dreams. Pulling her close, he enfolded her, smelt her soft hair and felt her quick heartbeat against his.