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 2 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

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2 birthdays · 3 death anniversaries · 9 world events on 2 July

Birthdays

Death anniversaries

World events on this day

  • 2 July 1644

    Battle of Marston Moor

    Combined Parliamentarian and Scottish Covenanter forces defeated Prince Rupert and the Marquess of Newcastle near York on 2 July 1644. The battle was one of the largest fought on English soil and destroyed Royalist dominance in northern England. Oliver Cromwell's cavalry played a decisive role in the victory.

    Event 1644

  • 2 July 1962

    Walmart Founded

    Walmart was founded in 1962 by Sam Walton in Rogers, Arkansas, beginning a retail revolution that would transform shopping habits worldwide. Walton's focus on low prices and customer service led to the rapid expansion of the chain, making it one of the largest retail corporations globally. Walmart's business model and practices have had a profound impact on the retail industry, influencing supply chain management and consumer behavior.

    Event 1962

  • 2 July 1964

    Civil Rights Act Passed in USA

    The U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, outlawing segregation in public places and employment discrimination. This landmark legislation resulted from years of civil rights activism including marches, sit-ins, and boycotts led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr. The act represented a major victory for the civil rights movement, though enforcement challenges and resistance continued for decades.

    Event 1964

  • 2 July 1698

    Thomas Savery Patents the First Commercial Steam Pump

    Thomas Savery, an English engineer, patented the first commercially used steam-powered device, a pump designed to raise water from mines by creating a vacuum with condensing steam. The patent, filed in London, described an 'engine to raise water by fire,' which used steam pressure and condensation to lift water. Savery's pump, though limited in its lifting capacity, was the first practical application of steam power for industry.

    Event 1698

  • 2 July 1900

    Count Zeppelin's First Rigid Airship Flight

    On July 2, 1900, Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin flew the first rigid airship, the LZ 1, over Lake Constance in Germany, lasting only 18 minutes but proving the concept of rigid-framed dirigibles. This achievement launched the Zeppelin company and initiated an era of rigid airship development that would culminate in transatlantic passenger service before being superseded by airplanes.

    Event 1900

  • 2 July 1937

    Amelia Earhart disappears over the Pacific

    In 1937 Amelia Earhart disappeared while attempting to fly around the world with navigator Fred Noonan. Their aircraft vanished near Howland Island during one of the most publicised aviation attempts of the age. The disappearance became an enduring mystery and cultural legend.

    Event 1937

  • 2 July 1865

    Founding of the Salvation Army

    The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth as the East London Christian Mission, aiming to address the spiritual and physical needs of the impoverished. This organization combined evangelism with social work, providing food, shelter, and rehabilitation services to the needy. Its establishment marked a significant development in the social reform movement, emphasizing the importance of faith in action and the need for community support in addressing social issues.

    Event 1865

  • 2 July 1881

    Assassination of James Garfield

    On July 2, 1881, President James A. Garfield was assassinated by Charles Guiteau at a train station in Washington, D.C. Garfield's presidency was marked by significant political strife and reform efforts, and his assassination underscored the tensions surrounding patronage and political corruption in the United States. The event led to widespread public mourning and ultimately contributed to the establishment of civil service reforms aimed at reducing corruption in government.

    Event 1881

  • 2 July 1919

    First Transatlantic Airship Crossing

    In July 1919, the British airship R34 completed the first east-to-west transatlantic crossing by air, marking a significant milestone in aviation history. This journey demonstrated the potential of air travel for long-distance transportation and paved the way for future advancements in aviation technology. The successful crossing captured public imagination and showcased the possibilities of airship travel in the post-World War I era.

    Event 1919
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