Silence lingers,

a bird’s song gone,

only whispers

in the trees.

"The Song Bird" is Frederick Van Dusseldorfe's most celebrated work, a poignant poem that captures the ethereal beauty of nature and the profound silence that can follow its loss. Through vivid imagery, Van Dusseldorfe illustrates a once vibrant bird, now silent, its song only a whisper among the trees. The poem delves into themes of absence and the latent potential within nature, reflecting on a melody that lingers within soft feathers, waiting to be rediscovered. With wings spread wide but no voice to guide its flight, the bird's silence casts a hush over the forest, embodying a song yet to be found. This masterful piece resonates deeply with readers, offering a contemplative meditation on nature's fragile beauty and enduring mystery.

With only a few words, Van Dusseldorfe is able to present such sadness and a potential for a hopeful future all in the space of a stanza.
— Poetry London (2022)