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 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

Previous Today Next

1 birthday · 1 death anniversary · 12 world events on 25 July

Birthdays

Death anniversaries

World events on this day

  • 25 July 1834

    Coleridge's Death

    Samuel Taylor Coleridge died on July 25, 1834, in Highgate, London, after a long struggle with health issues exacerbated by his opium addiction. His death marked the end of a significant era in English literature, as he was a pivotal figure in the Romantic movement. Coleridge's legacy continues to influence poets and writers to this day.

    Event 1834

  • 25 July 1938

    Battle of the Ebro

    From July 25 to November 16, 1938, the Battle of the Ebro was fought along the lower Ebro River in Catalonia, in the longest and largest battle of the Spanish Civil War. The Republican Army, under Colonel Juan Modesto, launched a surprise offensive across the river, initially achieving significant gains before being beaten back by the Nationalists' superior air power and artillery. The battle resulted in some 80,000 casualties and effectively destroyed the Republican Army as a fighting force, sealing the Republic's fate.

    Event 1938

  • 25 July 1261

    Recapture of Constantinople by the Byzantine Empire

    On July 25, 1261, the Byzantine Empire was restored when Nicaean forces under Michael VIII Palaeologus recaptured Constantinople from the Latin Empire. The city had been occupied by Western crusaders since the Fourth Crusade's sack in 1204. This event marked the end of Latin rule and the beginning of the Palaiologan dynasty, which would rule Byzantium until its final fall in 1453.

    Event 1261

  • 25 July 1909

    First Airplane Flight Across the English Channel

    On July 25, 1909, French aviator Louis Blériot made history by crossing the English Channel in his Blériot XI monoplane, a journey of 23 miles (37 km) from Calais to Dover. This 37-minute flight stunned the world and secured Blériot's place in history. It had immense strategic and political implications, proving the vulnerability of island nations to attack from the air and catapulting aviation into the realm of international affairs.

    Event 1909

  • 25 July 1965

    Bob Dylan Electrifies Folk at Newport Festival

    At the Newport Folk Festival in 1965, Bob Dylan electrified the audience by performing with electric instruments, marking a significant moment in music history. This bold move symbolized the merging of folk music with rock energy, challenging traditional genre boundaries. Dylan's performance not only shocked purists but also paved the way for the evolution of popular music, influencing countless artists and movements.

    Event 1965

  • 25 July 1978

    Birth of Louise Brown, the First IVF Baby

    Louise Joy Brown was born in Oldham, England, on 25 July 1978, becoming the first person conceived through in vitro fertilisation. The work of Patrick Steptoe, Robert Edwards, and Jean Purdy opened a new era in reproductive medicine. The birth provoked wonder, ethical debate, and intense media attention around technology, parenthood, and the beginnings of life.

    Event 1978

  • 25 July 2000

    Concorde crash ends the aircraft's aura of invulnerability

    On 25 July 2000 Air France Flight 4590, a Concorde, crashed shortly after take-off from Paris, killing 113 people. The accident grounded the fleet temporarily and severely damaged public confidence in supersonic passenger travel. It marked the beginning of the end for Concorde's commercial life.

    Event 2000

  • 25 July 1060

    Construction of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela Begins

    In 1060, construction began on the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain, which would become a major pilgrimage site in medieval Europe. This architectural marvel was built to honor Saint James the Greater, whose remains were believed to be buried there. The cathedral not only served as a religious center but also influenced the cultural landscape of Europe, shaping the spiritual and artistic expressions of the time.

    Event 1060

  • 25 July 1505

    Marriage to Jane Colt

    In 1505, Thomas More married Jane Colt, a union that would last until her death in 1511. The couple lived in London and had four children together. This family life provided More with both inspiration and emotional depth, which would later reflect in his writings, particularly in his explorations of human relationships and moral dilemmas.

    Event 1505

  • 25 July 1857

    Death of Thackeray's Wife

    Isabella Thackeray, William's wife, passed away on July 25, 1857. Her death deeply affected Thackeray, leading to a period of mourning and reflection. This personal loss influenced his writing, as he grappled with themes of grief and loss in his later works.

    Event 1857

  • 25 July 2007

    US TTB Approves Thujone-Regulated Absinthe

    In 2007, the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) approved federal guidelines for the sale of absinthe, permitting the distribution of this historically controversial spirit with regulated low levels of thujone. This decision marked a significant shift in the perception of absinthe, which had been banned in the early 20th century due to its association with health issues and social concerns. The reintroduction of absinthe into the American market not only revitalized interest in this unique beverage but also sparked a broader conversation about alcohol regulation and cultural heritage.

    Event 2007

  • 25 July 1992

    1992 Barcelona Olympics and Expo

    In 1992, Spain hosted the Summer Olympics in Barcelona and the Expo in Seville, events that showcased the country's democratic transformation following decades of dictatorship. The successful organization of these events highlighted Spain's cultural vibrancy and economic potential, fostering national pride and international recognition. The legacy of the 1992 events continues to influence Spain's tourism and cultural identity.

    Event 1992
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