The Sunday Poem: “Skin Tight” by David Nemerov

February 28th, 2026

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The Sunday Poem  is published weekly, and strives to include the poet reading their work.

David Nemerov reads his poem at its conclusion.

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Skin Tight (Joined at the Hip)

PREAMBLE

In 1964, trumpeter and bandleader Miles Davis recorded a ground- breaking session live at Lincoln Center’s Philharmonic Hall entitled Four and More, which was released by Columbia Records about two years later. The sidemen for this historic event were seasoned veteran George Coleman on saxophone, Ron Carter at the bass, and Herbie Hancock on piano. Carter, 26-years-old, and Hancock, 23, were already on the upward trajectory in their careers. They were joined by a relative unknown in 18-year-old drummer Tony Williams, who astounded with his technical facility as well as off-the-charts (pun intended) creativity. He stayed in step with Miles all night long, joined-at-the-hip (also intended).

This poem is dedicated to him, to them, and that magical night.

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Brianmcmillen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tony Williams; 1986

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Skin-Tight (Joined at the Hip)
…………….In memory of Tony Williams

So you can play
So What, kid
Or so they say
Guess what, kid
So what, kid
Are you hip
Are you cool
Are you nobody’s fool
Can you bop
Can you make it pop
Have you got the chops
To stay on top
Of every damn note
Do you emote
Can you evoke
Can you swing that thing
Can you make it sing
Can you play the blues
Pay your dues
And refrain
From playing
Any jive assed licks
Are you slick
Are you quick
As in lickity split
Can you stick
The endings
The way he wants
And keep our boy happy
With a feathered touch
Inasmuch as you got it
Can you stay right there
In the middle of the pocket
Skin tight
Can you make things happen
With your deft brush strokes
Can you keep the balance
To validate the ballads
On his mark
Can you embark
On some wild and crazy shit
When things get funky
Can you right the ship
Can you keep the rest of us
Joined at the hip
Five by five
Three against four
Nine against eight
Up tempo
No tempo
Time shift
Refrain or rondo
Wherever that mother goes
You’d be best to follow
Play it cool kid
Can you stay at home
While he gets outside
Can you climb those
Seven Steps to Heaven
When he takes it up
Can you get down
Can you change the groove
To change the mood
Can you cut four
Like no one has before
When he gets high
Can you get by
Just know, child
Miles don’t smile
But if he ain’t glaring at you
You’ll be with us for awhile
Let me elaborate
Are you steady
Are you heavy
Are you ready
To collaborate
Are you hip
To make the trip
From Kind of Blue
To Bitches’ Brew
And this thing too
Be cool kid
Stay cool kid
Don’t get schooled, kid
Don’t be fooled, kid
Better drink the Kool- Aid, kid
Let me clue you in
If you’re still wondering
If jazz is a competition
You can bet your sweet ass
It is

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Listen to David Nemerov read his poem

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David Nemerov, 75, has been writing poems for a little over 3 years.  His subjects are whatever comes to mind. Along with the poetry he moonlights  as drummer with an affinity for Jazz, Blues, Zydeco, and whatever catches  his fancy.

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Listen to the 1964 recording of Miles Davis performing the Victor Feldman composition “Joshua,” with George Coleman (tenor saxophone); Herbie Hancock (piano); Ron Carter (bass); and Tony Williams (drums).  [Columbia/Legacy]

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Click for:

The Sunday Poem Archive

More poetry on Jerry Jazz Musician

War. Remembrance. Walls. The High Price of Authoritarianism – by editor/publisher Joe Maita

“The Sound of Becoming,” J.C. Michaels’ winning story in the 70th Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest

More short fiction on Jerry Jazz Musician

Information about how to submit your poetry or short fiction

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