Sandra Haight Poet Iambic Pentameter

Notes About The Poem

Entered In The Premiere Contest, "Pondering The Pavement"
Sponsor: John Lawless, October 19, 2025

Note: When we visited Pike's Peak in 1995, the highway was not
paved, and there were no barriers along the side.  I believe most
of the road is paved now, and there are barriers at some of
the curves today..

Mountain of Madness

A mountain madness, Colorado Springs'
Pike's Peak, some twenty miles to the top,
with roads like winding snakes that coil like rings,
where at the open edge are cliffs of rock.

This mountain madness soon directs and reigns
along its highway, somewhat heaven-bound;
a narrow road with two-way traffic lanes
and many curves that zigzag and astound.

We held our breaths while driving, quite unnerved;
an hour or more to reach the mountain peak.
Just one wrong turn along a sharp, tight curve,
right off the cliff, we'd fly into a heap.

And, yes, this has occurred- a hazardous,
slow, rugged ride that leads to a steep rise.
With mountain madness, you must pay with trust
and take your chances earning nature's prize.

And one more mountain madness to unfold,
our ride began in warm eighty degrees.
But when we reached the top, it was so cold,
the snow was whirling with a blizzard 'breeze'.

Yes, mountain madness, Colorado Springs'
Pike's Peak, its top at fourteen thousand feet!
America's most famous mountain brings
adventures to explore and goals to meet.

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Subimal Sinha-Roy August 18, 2017 at 5:01 AM Congratulations, Sandra, on your win. Sandra Haight August 19, 2017 at 9:12 AM Thank you so much! Sandra

Eve Roper August 18, 2017 at 3:18 AM Congratulations on your win, Sandra, beautiful imagery ~* Sandra Haight August 19, 2017 at 9:11 AM Hi Eve, thank you very much for your lovely comment. I am less active on PS lately but will participate from time to time. Hugs, Sandra

Connie Marcum Wong August 17, 2017 at 5:04 AM I can visualize the awe struck beauty with your descriptive words Sandra. I have been to Colorado Springs and Denver but never driven up there. It sounds beautiful and exciting! Congratulations on your win! : ) Sandra Haight August 19, 2017 at 9:08 AM Thank you very much, Connie, for your visit and your supportive, positive comment. I am less active writing and posting these days, but will jump in to participate when I can. Hugs, Sandra

Gregory Richard Barden August 16, 2017 at 8:57 PM This is on my Bucket List, Sandra, and I can't wait to see for myself! Thank you for the tour - what a wonderful write! Blessings and congrats! :-) Sandra Haight August 19, 2017 at 9:06 AM Thank you so much, Greg, for your uplifting comment. Much appreciated. Sandra

Lin Lane August 16, 2017 at 8:05 AM I lived 20 minutes away from the Peak, Sandra, but I'm glad they improved the road conditions. The view is spectacular. Well written poetry, as usual...more deserving on placement. Sandra Haight August 16, 2017 at 4:00 PM Thank you so much for your lovely and uplifting comment, Lin. I have not been very active on PS lately, but I did enter this old poem in the contest. Hope to participate now and then as I find the time. I appreciate your visit! Hugs, Sandra

Brian Davey May 6, 2017 at 7:20 AM Very visual write it's like I took a brief vacation there, congrats Sandra Haight May 7, 2017 at 6:25 PM Thank you, Brian, for your nice comment and congrats! Sandra

John Michaels May 6, 2017 at 2:57 AM Interesting write and well done for adherence to the form. Congratulations on your high-placed win! Regards, John. Sandra Haight May 7, 2017 at 6:25 PM Thank you very much, John, for reading my poem and for your supportive comments! Much appreciated. Sandra

Rob Carmack May 6, 2017 at 1:04 AM Congrats Sandra. It has been a while since I last wrote this form, I will have to compose another soon. Thanks for supporting my contest. Sandra Haight May 7, 2017 at 6:24 PM Thank you, Rob, for another fine contest where we can bring out old poems for another try! I very much appreciate my placement. Sandra

Brian Davey May 25, 2016 at 8:39 AM I love Pikes Peak racing! What a crafty use of the theme Sandra...Why didn't I think of that??Congrats

Karam Misra May 25, 2016 at 1:12 AM Congrats on your placement, Sandra. Loved your take on the crazy theme. ~karam~ Sandra Haight May 25, 2016 at 7:39 PM Thank you very much, Karam. Sandra

Timothy Hicks May 24, 2016 at 4:05 PM Thanks for participating in my contest, Sandra! I thought it was really cool how you took my strange contest prompt, and made it about a real life experience ... a TRUE mountain of madness. Being from Idaho, I can relate to the mountain scene ... check out my blog and tell me about your poem! :) Sandra Haight May 25, 2016 at 7:39 PM Thanks for the great contest, Timothy, and your positive feedback. I really enjoyed writing for it and I was pleased to be on your list! Working on your new one! Sandra

Michael Whatley May 19, 2016 at 10:54 AM Mountains and clifftops can indeed be wondrous, surreal, and yet perilous at the same time - Really enjoyed this piece, Sandra. Sandra Haight May 25, 2016 at 7:35 PM Thank you very much, Michael. Sandra

Sara Chansarkar May 18, 2016 at 10:05 AM Yes the madness of mountains can astound you!Loved it Sandra! Sandra Haight May 25, 2016 at 7:35 PM Thank you very much, Sara. Hugs, Sandra

Vladislav Raven May 17, 2016 at 4:03 PM Hi Sandra, another excellent write from your pen. I was right with you on this adventurous and rather hair raising drive up the ascent. I just Love the imagery. The fear can come also through your words. A pretty dangerous drive even with barriers, especially the descent i would say. The flow of your words does paint such a creative canvas. I enjoyed the write Sandra. This is a definite seven. Hugs....Mike. XX Sandra Haight May 17, 2016 at 6:39 PM Yes, Mike, we made that trip 21 years ago...I was a little braver then. But, the view was breathtaking! Thank you again, for all your nice visits and support. Hugs, Sandra

Andrea Dietrich May 16, 2016 at 8:35 PM ooohhh, without the barriers, that would feel so scary. I have been up really windy mountains and they actually kind of scare me!! Good one, Sandra. Sandra Haight May 17, 2016 at 6:36 PM Thanks, Andrea. I was braver twenty-one years ago! Hugs, Sandra

Sneha Rv May 16, 2016 at 1:50 PM This is great, dear Sandra!! Your takes are so unique.. All the best in the contest!! :) :) Sandra Haight May 16, 2016 at 5:18 PM Thank you, Sneha. This was a true story, so it was easy to fit it into the theme. Hugs, Sandra

Lenny Gazbowski May 16, 2016 at 10:31 AM A magnificent piece of writing with wonderful imagery - I was almost there with you Sandra ! Sandra Haight May 16, 2016 at 5:20 PM Thank you very much, Lenny. Your uplifting comment is much appreciated. Sandra