"PERMISSION TREE ROAD" by Michael R. Clem © 2024

Performed at The Local 11Mar24, Charlottesville VA
video by Jehu Martin (JEHU-TV)
Lyrics
I dreamt about the Permission Tree
taking me back to ’83
the Summer that a Girl made a man out of me
Off the road called Permission Tree
I housesat for my summer job boss
with free room and board and very little cost
‘cept the innocence I had would soon be lost
off the road called Permission tree
What a very strange name to call a street
considering the young lass I would greet
with a house to myself, we’d be discreet
off the road called Permission tree
12% of people dream in black and white
but everybody has dreams every night
it’s where my secret sins are kept
most of which I’d just soon forget
I don’t even know if I asked permission
Just growing up faster was my sole mission
For most my teens that’s what I was wishin’
& it happened off Permission tree
The boss’s daughter thought she’d stop by
checkin’ on me - she caught me by surprise
she was eight month pregnant, I could tell by her size
& she was ready for delivery
Thankfully my lover scooted off before
by 5am she was well out the door
Or i’d be in big trouble & a whole lot more
off the road called Permission Tree
It’s said women likely have scarier dreams -
So I must be a woman for the times I’ve screamed
Plagued by the house of cards I built -
I can’t shake the dream, and I can’t shake the guilt
When I chatted with the daughter quite casually
every time I said Permission, she glared at me
and gave quite a scowl incredulously
just because I said Permission Tree
She said, I’d hate to interrupt you in the middle of your song
But did you know you’re pronouncing it wrong
It’s PERSIMMON, not Permission, ya big ding-dong
She made a big ass out of me
So, when someone says Persimmon to me
Can’t help but think of my virginity
Abandoned way back in ’83
… and I still say Permission tree