The Katabasis

by Komal Mahmood

A descent into the psyche's crevices of madness; where in conscious states man refuses to travel. Drug induced, psychedelic, hypnotic states of mind bring forth an impetuous onslaught of burning sensations...
The separation between the divine and the mundane is a mere strip of cerebral matter. Heightened states of consciousness can unite the soul with that which it longs for.
A collection of poems that delve into the inner recesses of mind where logic dissolves, Nietzsche becomes Tiresias, Orpheus assists on a chthonic journey, the ancient Sibyll eulogizes the elixir of life.

23 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 6, 2021

About the author

Dr Komal Mahmood is a graduate of Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharm-D) from Dow University of Health Sciences. She is currently an MPhil Research Scholar at Dow in Computer Aided Drug Design for managing redox states in the mitochondria. She is also the founder of CrowdSave; A non-profit aiming to provide quality health care to low-income emigrant (and resident) families in urban centers. She is the author of the verse drama "Hypnos Bound: A Chthonic Rhythm", and the epic poem "THEOMACHY:War of the Gods" which employ neoplatonic doctrine to address the problems with capitalism induced individualism, and a four volume magazine "The Eastern Orphica" which examines the historical development of the public sphere in the subcontinent and the contribution of global philosophical movements to the creation of Pakistan.

Reviews

[Komal Mahmood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have written this collection, it is naturally for me a herculean achievement and a beautiful book of poetry.