Receiver Static

[Verse 1]
Ababa's old rotary, Bakelite and cord,
I trace your number, a prayer I can't afford.
The berbere in the air is faint, a dusty ghost I keep,
Past 2 AM, the whole block is asleep.
This is the ritual, the long way to your name.

[Chorus]
(Lead) Just static on the receiver
(Backing) (Don't you call, don't you call now)
(Lead) Trying to prove I'm not a leaver
(Backing) (Nothing to say, nothing to say how)

[Verse 2]
"Still in that house?" is how you'll start the show,
Like these floorboards aren't the only roots I know.
You pruned your branches, left for sunnier streets,
We're just two weeds from the same cracked concrete.
That plastic click sounds like rewinding the blame.

[Chorus]
(Lead) Just static on the receiver
(Backing) (Don't you call, don't you call now)
(Lead) Trying to prove I'm not a leaver
(Backing) (Nothing to say, nothing to say how)

[Bridge]
(Vocals become completely dry, close-mic'd, no reverb)
I miss you. Fikir.
Is it still there under all the years of quiet?

[Outro]
(Lead) Just static on the receiver...
(Backing, fading out) (Don't you call... don't you call...)