Cages of Conviction (villanelle)

[Mostly Holy]

"Cages of Conviction"

I step into a prison for the mind
Past gatekeepers that preach to me their cause
To follow is to follow one who's blind

A guide whose every dream is pre-defined
Who drowns all doubt in thunderous applause
Who stepped into a prison for their mind

Its wardens proud, its inmates self-confined     
We gild our chains, declare them holy laws
To follow us would be to follow blind

Along the path the censors have defined
Between echoing walls all doubt withdraws
As I step into a prison for the mind

A painted cage the Warden's mind designed
My purpose to his sly ambition draws
As I follow the commandments for the blind

That steer me to the Party line assigned
My chanted mantras blind me to my flaws
The prison I stepped into is my mind
I follow still, knowing I'm the blind