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 25 June 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

1 birthday · 1 death anniversary · 10 world events on 25 June

Birthdays

Death anniversaries

World events on this day

  • 25 June 1733

    John Kay Patents the Flying Shuttle

    In 1733, John Kay patented the flying shuttle, a key invention in the mechanization of weaving. The flying shuttle allowed a single weaver to weave wider fabrics more quickly, greatly increasing productivity. This invention was a crucial step in the Industrial Revolution and laid the groundwork for the mass production of textiles like denim.

  • 25 June 1876

    Battle of the Little Bighorn

    Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho warriors defeated George Custer's forces near the Little Bighorn River in Montana Territory. The battle arose from United States efforts to confine Indigenous peoples and seize the Black Hills. Victory was dramatic but was followed by intensified military campaigns and dispossession.

  • 25 June 1938

    Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938

    The U.S. Congress passed the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which replaced the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act and significantly expanded federal authority over food safety. The new law required that food be safe, pure, and honestly labeled, and it established standards for food additives. The act was a response to the shortcomings of the 1906 law and the continued problems with food adulteration.

  • 25 June 1975

    Mozambican Independence from Portugal

    On June 25, 1975, Mozambique achieved independence from Portugal following a protracted liberation struggle that was part of a broader wave of decolonization across Africa. The Carnation Revolution in Portugal in April 1974 facilitated this transition by weakening colonial rule and inspiring independence movements. Mozambique's independence marked a significant moment in African history, as it represented the triumph of anti-colonial efforts and the beginning of a new chapter for the nation, albeit one that would soon be marred by civil conflict.

  • 25 June 1580

    Publication of 'The Book of Concord'

    In 1580, the publication of the Book of Concord compiled key Lutheran confessions, solidifying the theological foundations of the Lutheran Church. This document served as a unifying text for Lutherans, outlining core beliefs and practices in response to the Reformation. It included significant writings such as the Augsburg Confession and the Small Catechism, which helped to clarify Lutheran doctrine. The Book of Concord played a crucial role in shaping Protestant theology and establishing a distinct Lutheran identity.

  • 25 June 1788

    The Great Kyoto Fire of Temmei

    The Great Kyoto Fire of Temmei in 1788 was a catastrophic event that destroyed the Imperial Palace and a significant portion of the city, affecting over 80 percent of Kyoto's cultural capital. This disaster prompted a reevaluation of urban planning and fire prevention measures in the city. The fire not only had immediate devastating effects but also shaped the future architectural and cultural landscape of Kyoto.

  • 25 June 1846

    Repeal of Corn Laws and Free Trade Victory

    British Parliament repealed tariffs on imported grain after intense campaigning by Anti-Corn Law League manufacturers and Irish Famine urgency, marking triumph of free-trade ideology over landed protectionism. This policy shift lowered food prices but devastated domestic agriculture, accelerating rural depopulation and urban industrial growth. Repeal symbolized the transfer of political power from aristocratic landowners to industrial capitalists and middle-class consumers.

  • 25 June 1937

    Execution of Esteban Urkiaga (Lauaxeta)

    On June 25, 1937, the Basque poet and journalist Esteban Urkiaga, known by his pen name Lauaxeta, was executed by Nationalist forces in Vitoria, Basque Country, for his role in the Basque government during the war. Lauaxeta, who wrote in the Basque language, had been a prominent cultural figure and a member of the Basque Nationalist Party administration. His execution, along with that of other Basque intellectuals, was part of the broader Nationalist repression of Basque identity and culture.

  • 25 June 1983

    India Wins Cricket World Cup

    In 1983, India won the Cricket World Cup, defeating the West Indies in a thrilling final. This victory not only marked a significant achievement in Indian sports history but also contributed to the growing popularity of cricket in the country. The win united the nation and fostered a sense of pride, leading to increased investment and interest in the sport at all levels.

  • 25 June 1959

    First Hovercraft Flight

    The first successful hovercraft flight took place in 1959, when Christopher Cockerell's SR.N1 demonstrated its capabilities over water. This innovative vehicle, capable of traveling over various surfaces, represented a significant advancement in transportation technology. The hovercraft's versatility and efficiency have since influenced various industries, including military and commercial transport.

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