The view from the window of spring-time trees in first leaf and blossom, the atmosphere of burgeoning life, contrasts with the patient’s sense of confinement and immobility. The world outside becomes a dream-like fantasy the patient longs to be a part of. Robert’s sketchbook drawings done in Toronto in 1986 introduced the patient and window theme. The window introduces contrasts of interior/ exterior, inactive/ active, horizontal/ vertical, human/ animal. Robert also re-invents a theme that is dear to him: an animal giving voice to inexpressible feelings. The bird song suggests things the patient may not be able to see from his restricted vantage point, but can nonetheless hear. It was important for Robert to try to create images of hope as well as documenting all the struggles and challenges a patient faced. This is one of the artist’s most hopeful images, as a result, it is also one of the most popular of the cancer series.