The first rays of sunlight lit up my room. The dawn chorus of melodic birdsong drifted in. The rising sun cast a rosy hue across the morning sky. Golden fingers of sunlight lit up the scene. At daybreak, it is cool and invigorating, full of songbirds, walkers and joggers. At midday, it is sleepy, hot and still. In the evening, shadows lengthen and coolness returns. But at night, it can be a frightening place, with dangers lurking in the dark shadows of the foliage.

Dewdrops, rolling along the roses I planted a few weeks ago, the balcony was covered with plants and flowers, and nourished dreams, splashing a piece of...