A quiet notice V2Melody closes at midnight on , Spanish time.

Closes

A note from Richard

V2Melody will close at midnight on 20 January 2028

This site has been a retirement project in musical poetry: poems chosen with care and set to music, offered freely for as long as it felt right to keep the garden open.

The work no longer holds the place it once did in my life. I have gone as far with it as I wish to go. Like a sand mandala, it was made to be completed and then released. I am not attached to its permanence, and I do not believe any of it needs to last beyond the time it was given. The poems were already here before I arrived and began to experiment with them. They will still be here when these musical experiments, and indeed myself, have been swept away, like the sand of a mandala. Nothing has been lost.

I want a simpler end to my life, days of simple love and enjoyment with my wonderful wife of 20 years. The work of maintaining a server, the monitoring, and the residual obligations that come with keeping a site alive no longer fit that life.

From 4 November 2026 I will not be adding new poems or musical poems to the site.

The experimental music I am making now is on my Suno profile. Those pieces stay there, and are not added to this site.

Until midnight on 20 January 2028, Spanish time, everything remains available exactly as it is. That is when my VPS server contract comes to an end, and it will not be renewed. After that, the server will be switched off and the site will disappear.

The Mandala Is Finished explains this more fully.

Thank you to anyone who found a poem, a track, or a quiet moment here.

The pleasure was in the making.

Richard

Home › Glossary › Letter S

Shire

Horses
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A large draft horse breed known for its strength and gentle temperament.

Detailed Definition
Shires are one of the largest horse breeds, known for their immense strength and calm demeanor. In poetry, they symbolize power, reliability, and the beauty of gentleness. Their historical role in agriculture and industry adds depth to their representation, often reflecting themes of community and cooperation. The imagery of a Shire pulling a heavy load can evoke feelings of respect for the labor that sustains us, serving as a metaphor for the importance of dedication and teamwork in achieving shared goals.
Example
Example in poetry:
The Shire, a giant with a heart of gold; In fields of green, his story is told; With a coat like the night, and a spirit so grand; He carries the dreams of the work on the land. ; In the plow's steady rhythm, the Shire finds his place; A symbol of strength, in the farmer's embrace; With hooves like thunder, and a gentle soul; He toils through the seasons, making the earth whole. ; The Shire stands tall, a monument of might; In the glow of the sunset, a magnificent sight; With a heart full of courage, and a spirit so free; He embodies the strength of the land and the sea. ; In the quiet of morning, the Shire walks slow; A guardian of fields, where the wildflowers grow; With each heavy step, he leaves his mark clear; A legacy forged, in the love we hold dear.
Additional Notes
Shire horses are one of the largest draft breeds, known for their impressive size and strength. Originating from England, they were historically used for heavy farm work and pulling carts. Shires are characterized by their gentle temperament, making them suitable for families and novice riders. They often have feathering on their lower legs, which adds to their distinctive appearance. Shires are also known for their calm demeanor and willingness to work, making them excellent choices for both agricultural tasks and recreational riding. Their size and strength allow them to perform demanding tasks with ease.
Also Known As
Shire Horse
Skip to main content