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 15 July 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

2 birthdays · 1 death anniversary · 9 world events on 15 July

Birthdays

Death anniversaries

World events on this day

  • 15 July 1617

    Death of Wife Anne More

    In 1617, Anne More Donne passed away in London, England, just five days after giving birth to their stillborn twelfth child. At only 33 years old, her death left John Donne devastated and deeply affected his emotional state and creative output. This personal tragedy not only marked a significant moment in Donne's life but also influenced his later poetry, which often grappled with themes of love, loss, and mortality. The impact of Anne's death resonated throughout Donne's work, reflecting his profound grief.

    Event 1617

  • 15 July 1662

    The Royal Society receives its first charter

    In 1662, the Royal Society of London received a royal charter from Charles II. It promoted experimental science, observation and the exchange of knowledge. Its motto, Nullius in verba, signalled suspicion of mere authority.

    Event 1662

  • 15 July 1839

    Death of Winthrop Mackworth Praed

    Winthrop Mackworth Praed passed away on July 15, 1839, in London, England. His untimely death at the age of 36 marked the end of a promising literary career that had already made a significant impact on English poetry. Praed's works continued to be celebrated posthumously.

    Event 1839

  • 15 July 1801

    Concordat of 1801

    The Concordat of 1801, negotiated by Napoleon Bonaparte, marked a significant reconciliation between the French state and the Catholic Church after years of conflict during the French Revolution. This agreement restored many of the Church's privileges and established Catholicism as the religion of the majority, while also affirming the state's authority over church appointments. The Concordat played a crucial role in stabilizing France politically and socially, influencing the relationship between church and state in modern Europe.

    Event 1801

  • 15 July 1918

    Second Battle of the Marne

    The Second Battle of the Marne, fought from July 15 to August 6, 1918, marked a crucial turning point in World War I. This Allied counteroffensive successfully halted the German advance and began the process of pushing back the Central Powers. The battle's outcome significantly influenced the war's trajectory, contributing to the eventual defeat of Germany and the end of the conflict.

    Event 1918

  • 15 July 1931

    Wiley Post and Harold Gatty fly around the world

    In 1931 Wiley Post and navigator Harold Gatty flew around the world in the aircraft Winnie Mae. Their journey took just over eight days and broke previous speed expectations for global travel. It made rapid aerial circumnavigation a public measure of modern progress.

    Event 1931

  • 15 July 1997

    Murder of Gianni Versace

    Gianni Versace, the renowned fashion designer, was murdered by spree killer Andrew Cunanan outside his Miami mansion on July 15, 1997. Versace's death marked a tragic moment in the fashion world, as he was celebrated for his bold designs and contributions to the industry. This event not only shocked fans and the fashion community but also raised discussions about violence and celebrity culture in the media.

    Event 1997

  • 15 July 2014

    Establishment of the New Development Bank (BRICS Bank)

    In 2014, the BRICS nations established the New Development Bank (NDB) as an alternative to existing Western-dominated financial institutions like the World Bank. This initiative aimed to provide funding for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging economies, reflecting a shift in global economic power dynamics. The NDB underscores the growing influence of BRICS countries in international finance and their commitment to addressing development challenges collaboratively.

    Event 2014

  • 15 July 1916

    Shackleton Expedition Lunar Eclipse

    On July 15, 1916, a partial lunar eclipse occurred during Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, affecting the stranded Ross Sea party near Cape Evans in Antarctica. The eclipse complicated a critical ice crossing under polar night conditions, as the moon provided essential light. The men navigated the thin ice successfully despite the dimming, highlighting human endurance in extreme exploration.

    Event 1916
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