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


On 23 January 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 · 3 death anniversaries · 8 world events on 23 January

Birthdays

Death anniversaries

World events on this day

  • 23 January 1556

    The Shaanxi Earthquake

    The Shaanxi Earthquake of 1556 is recorded as the deadliest earthquake in human history, striking Ming Dynasty China and resulting in an estimated 830,000 fatalities. The earthquake devastated entire counties, leading to widespread destruction and displacement. This catastrophic event underscored the vulnerabilities of ancient urban planning and the impact of natural disasters on society, shaping future approaches to disaster preparedness and response.

    Event 1556

  • 23 January 1960

    Bathyscaphe Trieste Reaches Challenger Deep

    On January 23, 1960, the bathyscaphe Trieste, piloted by Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh, descended to the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, reaching a record depth of approximately 35,800 feet (10,911 meters). This was the first time humans had reached the deepest known point in any of Earth's oceans, a feat of engineering and human courage.

    Event 1960

  • 23 January 1368

    Zhu Yuanzhang Founding the Ming Dynasty

    In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang founded the Ming Dynasty, restoring Han Chinese rule after the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. His ascension marked a significant shift in Chinese history, emphasizing Confucian values and centralized governance. The Ming Dynasty is known for its cultural and economic flourishing, including advancements in the arts, exploration, and trade. Zhu's leadership laid the foundation for a period of stability and prosperity that would last for nearly three centuries.

    Event 1368

  • 23 January 1866

    Final Years and Legacy

    Thomas Love Peacock passed away on January 23, 1866, in Lower Halliford, Surrey. His death marked the end of a prolific literary career that had a lasting impact on English literature. He is remembered for his wit, satire, and philosophical insights.

    Event 1866

  • 23 January 1318

    Franciscan Spirituals Declared Heretical

    On January 23, 1318, Pope John XXII issued a declaration that many doctrines of the radical 'Spiritual' Franciscan order were heretical. The Spirituals advocated for a literal interpretation of St. Francis's rule of poverty, which brought them into conflict with the institutional Church. Many Spirituals were subsequently burned at the stake, though some escaped to Sicily.

    Event 1318

  • 23 January 1855

    The Great Earthquake of 1855 in New Zealand

    On January 23, 1855, the Wairarapa earthquake, estimated at magnitude 8.2, struck the southern part of the North Island of New Zealand. The quake caused widespread damage in the Wellington region, altering the landscape and triggering a tsunami. This event was one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded in New Zealand and had a profound impact on the development of the colony. The disaster led to significant changes in building practices and influenced the scientific understanding of earthquakes in the region.

    Event 1855

  • 23 January 1870

    Marias River Massacre of Piegan Blackfeet

    The Marias River Massacre in 1870 was a tragic event where the U.S. Army attacked a Piegan Blackfeet camp in Montana, resulting in the deaths of over 170 individuals, predominantly women, children, and the elderly. The army mistakenly believed the camp was harboring hostile warriors, showcasing the brutal consequences of miscommunication and prejudice during this period. This massacre exemplified the violent conflicts between Native American tribes and U.S. forces, highlighting the broader themes of colonial expansion and indigenous resistance.

    Event 1870

  • 23 January 1643

    Battle of Leeds

    Parliamentarian troops commanded by Sir Thomas Fairfax stormed Royalist-held Leeds in Yorkshire on 23 January 1643. Fierce street fighting ended with the town's capture and many prisoners taken. The victory strengthened Parliament's position in the West Riding.

    Event 1643
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