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 23 August 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 · 8 world events on 23 August

Birthdays

World events on this day

  • 23 August 1455

    Gutenberg Bible Printed in Mainz

    In 1455, Johannes Gutenberg printed the Gutenberg Bible in Mainz, marking the first major book produced with movable metal type in Europe. This innovation initiated the print revolution, drastically changing the dissemination of knowledge and literacy rates across Europe. The Gutenberg Bible not only made religious texts more accessible but also laid the foundation for the modern publishing industry, transforming communication and education.

    Event 1455

  • 23 August 1455

    Johannes Gutenberg Prints the Forty-Two-Line Bible

    In 1455 AD, in the city of Mainz, Germany, Johannes Gutenberg successfully completed the printing of his famous Forty-Two-Line Bible using his revolutionary movable-type printing press. This historic publication marked the dawn of mass media and information democratization in the West. By replacing tedious manual copying with automated printing, Gutenberg's technology drastically reduced the cost of producing books, skyrocketed literacy rates across Europe, and allowed religious and philosophical ideas to spread at a speed and volume previously unimaginable in human history.

    Event 1455

  • 23 August 1939

    German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact

    The German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact, signed on August 23, 1939, was a significant geopolitical agreement between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. The secret protocol of the pact divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence, allowing both powers to expand without conflict. This agreement facilitated the invasion of Poland by both nations, marking the beginning of World War II. The pact's eventual breakdown in 1941, when Germany invaded the Soviet Union, dramatically altered the course of the war.

    Event 1939

  • 23 August 1305

    Execution of William Wallace

    In 1305, Scottish leader William Wallace was executed in London by Edward I after his capture, following years of resistance against English rule. His brutal death—hanged, drawn, and quartered—galvanized Scottish identity. Wallace became a legendary symbol of defiance, celebrated in epic poetry, ballads, and later cultural narratives of national freedom.

    Event 1305

  • 23 August 1948

    Founding of the World Council of Churches

    The World Council of Churches was founded in 1948 as an ecumenical body aimed at fostering unity among major Protestant and Orthodox churches. This organization emerged in the aftermath of World War II, reflecting a desire for reconciliation and collaboration among Christian denominations. The Council has played a vital role in promoting social justice, peace, and interfaith dialogue throughout its history.

    Event 1948

  • 23 August 1954

    First Flight of the C-130 Hercules

    The Lockheed C-130 Hercules, a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft, first flew on August 23, 1954. It has become one of the most widely used and enduring transport aircraft in history, serving in numerous roles and conflicts. Its ruggedness and versatility are legendary.

    Event 1954

  • 23 August 2023

    Chandrayaan-3 Moon Landing

    On August 23, 2023, India's Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully achieved a soft landing near the lunar south pole, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. This mission aimed to explore the Moon's surface and gather data on its geology and resources, particularly in the unexplored polar regions. The success of Chandrayaan-3 reinforces India's growing capabilities in space technology and its ambitions to contribute to global lunar research.

    Event 2023

  • 23 August 1995

    Brazilian Chupacabra Reports

    In 1995, reports of a blood-sucking creature known as the Chupacabra emerged in Puerto Rico and spread throughout Latin America. This creature, often described as attacking livestock, blended local folklore with modern cryptozoology, capturing the imaginations of many. The Chupacabra phenomenon reflects cultural anxieties about agriculture, globalization, and the unknown, illustrating how folklore evolves in contemporary contexts.

    Event 1995
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