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 February 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

1 birthday · 3 death anniversaries · 7 world events on 23 February

Birthdays

Death anniversaries

World events on this day

  • 23 February 1886

    Invention of the Hall-Héroult Process for Aluminum Smelting

    Working independently, American chemist Charles Martin Hall and French engineer Paul Héroult discover a method to isolate pure aluminum via the electrolysis of alumina dissolved in molten cryolite. This invention transforms aluminum from a precious metal more valuable than silver into an inexpensive, mass-producible industrial commodity. The process requires vast amounts of electricity, driving the construction of early hydroelectric dams near bauxite refining centers. Aluminum's unique properties of lightweight strength alter manufacturing, paving the way for modern aviation and electrical infrastructure.

    Event 1886

  • 23 February 1775

    Beaumarchais's The Barber of Seville premieres

    In 1775, Pierre Beaumarchais's comedy The Barber of Seville premiered in Paris. After revision, it became a success through its wit, intrigue and socially agile servant Figaro. The play later inspired famous operatic adaptations.

    Event 1775

  • 23 February 1917

    Russian February Revolution

    In February 1917, during the Russian February Revolution, Tsar Nicholas II abdicated amid widespread strikes and protests, marking the end of over three centuries of Romanov rule. The revolution was fueled by discontent with the Tsar's leadership, exacerbated by military failures and economic hardship during World War I. Nicholas's abdication led to the establishment of a provisional government, setting the stage for further revolutionary developments. This pivotal moment in Russian history reshaped the political landscape and ultimately contributed to the rise of the Bolsheviks and the October Revolution later that year.

    Event 1917

  • 23 February 2020

    Murder of Ahmaud Arbery

    The murder of Ahmaud Arbery in 2020 was a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for racial justice in the United States. Arbery, an unarmed Black man, was chased and shot while jogging in Georgia by three men who claimed to suspect him of wrongdoing. This incident sparked nationwide protests and discussions about systemic racism, vigilantism, and the need for comprehensive criminal justice reform, highlighting the urgent issues surrounding race and violence in America.

    Event 2020

  • 23 February 155

    Polycarp of Smyrna Martyred

    In 155 AD, Bishop Polycarp of Smyrna was martyred by being burned at the stake for refusing to renounce his faith in Christ and swear allegiance to the emperor. His steadfastness in the face of persecution made him a significant figure in early Christianity, symbolizing the struggle for religious freedom. Polycarp's martyrdom was documented by early Christians, contributing to the development of Christian hagiography. His legacy continues to inspire believers and is commemorated in various Christian traditions.

    Event 155

  • 23 February 1892

    Invention of the Diesel Engine

    In 1892, Rudolf Diesel patented his innovative compression-ignition engine, known as the diesel engine. This invention revolutionized the transportation and industrial sectors by providing a more efficient and powerful alternative to steam and gasoline engines. Diesel engines became essential for heavy-duty vehicles, ships, and generators, significantly impacting global trade and manufacturing.

    Event 1892

  • 23 February 2006

    The 2006 Machaze Earthquake

    On February 23, 2006 CE, an earthquake, estimated at magnitude 7.0, struck the Machaze region of Mozambique. This was one of the most significant earthquakes in southern Africa in recent decades and caused damage in the region. The event was a notable disaster for the country.

    Event 2006
Skip to main content