Poets logo

A Dictator's Villanelle

A poem for the despot

By Rachel DeemingPublished 12 days ago 1 min read
A Dictator's Villanelle
Photo by mana5280 on Unsplash

Power comes easy when zealots worship you

My cult, if you hate, is welcome to all:

I need for you to see my point of view.

*

Does it matter if things are false or true

When my unfounded lies hold you in thrall?

Power comes easy when zealots worship you.

*

I bow to none - not the red, white and blue.

Free, brave, just - these don't apply to y'all -

I need for you to see my point of view.

*

Try if you can to get good values through

Past the swamp of deceit repelling all.

Power comes easy when zealots worship you.

*

Leaders, reporters, show hosts - just be rude -

I won't talk to you if you won't play ball.

Power comes easy when zealots worship you

I need for you to see my point of view.

*

Villanelle

About the Creator

Rachel Deeming

Storyteller. Poet. Reviewer. Traveller.

I love to write. Check me out in the many places where I pop up:

Medium

My blog

Reedsy

Linkedin

Goodreads

X

Facebook

Beware of imitators.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments (9)

Sign in to comment
  • C. Rommial Butlerabout 2 hours ago

    Well-wrought, Rachel. And timely. The Clintons just got done lying through their teeth about Epstein. The other "side" will come in and do the same. We won't hear the names of the real tyrants on-screen, only their puppets. Controlled opposition and manufactured consent are no longer products of the system, but the very gears of the system itself.

  • L.C. Schäfer10 days ago

    Excellent poem. I've never got the hang of this form!

  • Gabriel Huizenga11 days ago

    An excellent villanelle, reflecting the ego and brokenness propelling my nation deeper into darkness. Ugh. Very well done!!

  • Sean A.11 days ago

    A perfect encapsulation of the narcissistic moment

  • Nice one. It seems the more outrageous a leader lies are, the more the zealots worship them. At leader the supreme court finally game him a "no" on something.

  • Calvin London11 days ago

    Nicely done, Rachel

  • John Cox12 days ago

    Excellent villanelle, Rachel. You have mastered the form and exposed both hypocrisy and lies!

  • Lana V Lynx12 days ago

    Excellent, Rachel, you got at the heart of his narcissism.

  • Powerful words

Find us on social media

Miscellaneous links

  • Explore
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Support

© 2026 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.