(Salem, Massachusetts)

Standing on the shore of the New World
She is cold inside and out
This land promised freedom
But she has none
She cannot sing or dance
Or even speak unless spoken to
She can only work
And go to church
And wait
Until she is old enough
To be given away

Tituba sets the game in motion
Harmlessly enough
Letting her and her girlfriends sing and dance
Until they are caught

She'll not go to the stocks or pillory
She'll say "'Twas Witchcraft"
As she drools and thrashes on the floor
Until Tituba is taken away.

Now the game begins in earnest
Now she can sing and dance
In a new way
Drooling and thrashing on the floor
Now she can speak
And point the finger
At Tituba, and Bridget, and The Governor's Wife

The game brings her fame
Now she can drink the wine of power
Feed on the glances of fear
The screams of the innocent
And the judgements of tyrants

Another noose goes taught
Another prayer cut short
Another one dances on the air
'Tis a fine game--none can best her
As she makes the rules
And another witch hangs from the trees

Truth be told
There are no witches here
Just a game of fear and power
And she is Learning the Ropes.