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 14 June 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

1 birthday · 4 death anniversaries · 10 world events on 14 June

Birthdays

Death anniversaries

World events on this day

  • 14 June 1645

    Battle of Naseby

    The Battle of Naseby in 1645 was the decisive Parliamentarian victory of the First English Civil War. The New Model Army defeated King Charles I's main field army, severely weakening the royalist cause. The battle accelerated the collapse of royal authority and intensified debates over monarchy, conscience, church government, and the rights of subjects.

  • 14 June 1782

    Watt and Boulton's Soho Manufactory Becomes a Steam-Powered Factory

    Matthew Boulton's Soho Manufactory in Birmingham, England, became the first industrial site to install a Watt steam engine with the sun and planet gear, marking the transition to steam-powered manufacturing. This factory pioneered mass production and the assembly line, using steam to drive its machinery. It also housed the first steam-powered mint, revolutionizing coin production and demonstrating the versatility of steam power.

  • 14 June 1782

    Watt Patents the Sun and Planet Gear for Rotary Motion

    James Watt patented a sun and planet gear system, a crucial invention that converted the reciprocating motion of his steam engine into continuous rotary motion. This innovation, developed in Birmingham, England, in partnership with Matthew Boulton, allowed steam engines to drive factory machinery directly, opening the door for steam power in manufacturing. The Soho Manufactory became the first site to use this new engine.

  • 14 June 1800

    Battle of Marengo

    The Battle of Marengo, fought in 1800, was a decisive engagement in which Napoleon Bonaparte defeated Austrian forces in Italy. This victory solidified French control over northern Italy and showcased Napoleon's military prowess, particularly his ability to turn the tide of battle with strategic maneuvers. The outcome of Marengo significantly influenced the political landscape of Europe, enhancing Napoleon's reputation and paving the way for his rise to power.

  • 14 June 1919

    First Nonstop Transatlantic Flight

    On June 14-15, 1919, British aviators Captain John Alcock and Lieutenant Arthur Whitten Brown made the first nonstop transatlantic flight, flying from St. John's, Newfoundland, to Clifden, Ireland, in a Vickers Vimy bomber. The 16-hour flight was an incredible feat of endurance and navigation, battling fog and ice. They were awarded the £10,000 prize offered by the Daily Mail.

  • 14 June 1807

    Battle of Friedland

    The Battle of Friedland, fought on June 14, 1807, marked a decisive victory for Napoleon Bonaparte against the Russian Empire during the War of the Fourth Coalition. This battle showcased Napoleon's military genius and led to the retreat of Russian forces, ultimately paving the way for the Treaties of Tilsit. The treaties significantly altered the political landscape of Europe, establishing French dominance and reshaping borders, while also creating a temporary peace between France and Russia.

  • 14 June 1910

    World Missionary Conference at Edinburgh

    The World Missionary Conference held in Edinburgh in 1910 marked a significant moment in the history of Christianity, bringing together Protestant missionaries from various countries. This conference is often regarded as the founding event of the modern ecumenical movement, emphasizing cooperation among different denominations. It aimed to address global issues such as poverty and social justice, reflecting a growing awareness of the interconnectedness of faith and social responsibility.

  • 14 June 1951

    Launch of the first commercial computer, UNIVAC I

    The UNIVAC I, unveiled in 1951, marked a pivotal moment in computing history as the first commercially available computer. Developed by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly, it was designed for business applications and government use, showcasing the potential of electronic data processing. Its successful deployment in the 1952 U.S. presidential election demonstrated the power of computers in handling large data sets, paving the way for the digital age and transforming industries.

  • 14 June 2008

    The 2008 Iwate-Miyagi Inland Earthquake

    On June 14, 2008 CE, a powerful earthquake, estimated at magnitude 7.2, struck the inland region of Iwate and Miyagi prefectures in Japan. The quake caused widespread destruction and loss of life. This was one of the most powerful earthquakes to hit the Tohoku region in recent years.

  • 14 June 1884

    Marriage to Mary Firth

    Charles Harding Firth married Mary Firth on June 14, 1884, in Sheffield, England. This union not only marked a significant personal milestone but also provided him with a supportive partner who shared his intellectual interests. Their partnership likely influenced his literary output and provided stability as he pursued his scholarly and poetic endeavors.

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