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.

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


On 12 May in poetry and history

Poets born or who died on this date, plus historical events that happened on this day across history.

610 poets with calendar dates · 6,535 events with calendar dates in the catalogue

Previous Today Next

3 birthdays · 4 death anniversaries · 7 world events on 12 May

Birthdays

Death anniversaries

World events on this day

  • 12 May 1925

    Death of Amy Lowell

    Amy Lowell passed away on May 12, 1925, in Brookline, Massachusetts. Her death marked the end of a significant literary career that had transformed American poetry. She left behind a legacy of innovative works that continue to influence poets today.

    Event 1925

  • 12 May 1700

    Death of John Dryden

    John Dryden passed away on May 12, 1700, in London, England. His death marked the end of an era in English literature, leaving behind a rich legacy of poetry and drama that influenced generations of writers. Dryden's contributions to the literary world, including his mastery of satire and heroic couplets, established him as one of the foremost poets of his time.

    Event 1700

  • 12 May 2008

    The Great Earthquake of 2008 in Sichuan

    On May 12, 2008, a devastating earthquake, estimated at magnitude 7.9, struck the Sichuan province of China. The quake caused massive destruction, killing over 87,000 people, including thousands of schoolchildren, and leaving millions homeless. The disaster was a major blow to China and exposed the vulnerability of its rapid urbanization. The event led to a massive government and international relief effort and a national period of mourning, and it significantly impacted Chinese society and politics.

    Event 2008

  • 12 May 1488

    Bartolomeu Dias rounds the Cape of Good Hope

    In 1488, Bartolomeu Dias became the first European to successfully navigate around the Cape of Good Hope, a pivotal moment in the Age of Exploration. This voyage opened up a new maritime route to the Indian Ocean, facilitating trade between Europe and Asia. Dias's journey not only expanded European geographical knowledge but also set the stage for subsequent explorers, including Vasco da Gama, to establish direct trade links with India, transforming global commerce.

    Event 1488

  • 12 May 1641

    Execution of Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford

    Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, Charles I's chief minister, was executed on Tower Hill in London on May 12, 1641, following impeachment by the Long Parliament for alleged treason. His death removed a key supporter of royal authority and signaled Parliament's determination to hold the king's advisors accountable.

    Event 1641

  • 12 May 1773

    Philip Lenzi Advertises Ice Cream in New York

    In 1773, confectioner Philip Lenzi made history by placing the first American newspaper advertisement for ice cream sales in New York. This marked a significant moment in the commercialization of ice cream, which would become a popular treat in America. Lenzi's advertisement not only reflects the growing consumer culture of the time but also highlights the emergence of ice cream as a beloved dessert in American society.

    Event 1773

  • 12 May 1988

    Daedalus Human-Powered Record

    In 1988, the MIT Daedalus project achieved a remarkable milestone by setting a human-powered flight distance record of 72 miles. This achievement demonstrated the potential of human ingenuity and engineering in aviation. The Daedalus flight not only showcased advancements in aerodynamics and lightweight materials but also inspired future developments in human-powered flight and sustainable transportation.

    Event 1988
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