I have no idea who this may be referring to, but do I need to know. I don't think so. The poem is effective enough, stunningly so, without perhaps this inside knowledge. Piercingly effective.

I see Richard also followed the thread back to the source of this writing. Pairing these lines with such a rattlingly-expressive painting emphasized the level of emotion expressed here. Your reference to “such personal feelings linger until death.” acknowledges that time ‘does not’ heal all wounds…and the artist who put his personal ‘chop’ next to this tortured soul’s left ear shows the power of pain likely lasting beyond the artist who painted it. It’s magnificent. So is your first three lines of ‘Mortal Ruins’. Capturing me were the last two lines in that first stanza: “Turned hot….To a fading outline of myself.” I love the concept of ‘Gordian Knot,’ so un-undoable….followed by “The every day eclipse,” and especially “….fading outlet of myself.” That brought my eyes back up to the painting, and a vision of sonority not quiet in the magnitude of conveying ‘ruin’ = “Loss disappeared behind my consciousness”. I LOVE that line! My favorite line is “Mortal ruins of a mad woman’s love.” — reason being that it carries every morsel of all of the other lines put together. Write what you know…..and you did. ~~ djl

You've touched fleetingly on something here that anyone who has given their hearts to another (and been wounded) can relate to. I can't help feeling this may be about D...e. If not.... my apologies. Describing it as a "Gordian Knot" is quite effective, IMO. A problem insoluble in its own terms. Something that no matter how we intellectualize it, or distance ourselves from it, is never fully resolved. Find peace my brother in words. Your honesty touched me. Kudos. rlc