Arcade Runner: Fire to Start
The arcade machine hums with anticipation. I press fire to start—my heart is racing, my palms already a little clammy on the joystick. “Get ready. Go!” flashes on the screen, and suddenly I’m running, leaping, shooting. Images flicker from both sides, the single-shot gun cracking as bad guys tumble
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
The cabinet glow on my face
Cramped little room
Crowded air
Thumb on the button
Like a dare
Like a dare
“Get ready
Go” in my chest
Credit beep cuts through the din
I’m already leaning forward
Like the game pulls me in (hey!)
[Chorus]
Press start
Press heart
Every life feels like the last one
One hit
Restart
Breathing hard like I’ve been running
I’m dodging ghosts of every time I’ve failed
But I’m still here
Still here
Insert coin
Press heart
I’m the one that doesn’t bail
[Verse 2]
Palms slick
Slipping on the stick
Single-shot
All I’ve got to give
Pixels rushing from both sides
Fight or flight
Play to live
I see my name in the margin
Empty space on the high-score line
If I can ride this rising chorus
I’ll carve it in this time (oh yeah)
[Chorus]
Press start
Press heart
Every life feels like the last one
One hit
Restart
Breathing hard like I’ve been running
I’m dodging ghosts of every time I’ve failed
But I’m still here
Still here
Insert coin
Press heart
I’m the one that doesn’t bail
[Bridge]
One more blink
Red bar low
Do I flinch
Or let it go?
I miss once
Screen goes white
Then I laugh
And choose “retry” (retry, retry)
[Chorus]
Press start
Press heart
Every life feels like the last one
One hit
Restart
Breathing hard like I’ve been running
I’m dodging ghosts of every time I’ve failed
But I’m still here
Still here
Insert coin
Press heart
I’m the one that doesn’t bail