I shoulder pack and borrowed lens
The repair truck coughs diesel smoke
Down stairwell where the signal ends
A basement hums with cathode glow
Wires coil like sleeping snakes
Solder sings on copper flakes
Joystick clicks a plastic beat
Pixel hearts skip retrograde
Quarter ghosts don't ask for names
They feed on volts and player aims
Cello weeps through speaker grates
Banjo cuts the magnetic tapes
His tool belt hangs on pegboard wall
A handset rests on Formica top
He checks the line, he hears the call
Of synth chords rising non-stop
Wires coil like sleeping snakes
Solder sings on copper flakes
Joystick clicks a plastic beat
Pixel hearts skip retrograde
Quarter ghosts don't ask for names
They feed on volts and player aims
Cello weeps through speaker grates
Banjo cuts the magnetic tapes
Camera clicks a frozen frame
A high score carved in initials deep
The repairman speaks my middle name
Promises the secrets that he keeps
No dial tone in this hollow space
Just arpeggios climbing stairs
The claustrophobia finds its grace
In minor keys and dusty chairs
Quarter ghosts don't ask for names
They feed on volts and player aims
Cello weeps through speaker grates
Banjo cuts the magnetic tapes
He splices wire, tone turns clear
The arcade breathes a slower rhythm
My shutter clicks, the image near
A moment caught in copper hymn
Quarter ghosts don't ask for names
They feed on volts and player aims
Cello weeps through speaker grates
Banjo cuts the magnetic tapes
Quarter ghosts don't ask for names
Banjo rolls like rain on tin
Foot stomp fades the violin
