Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


50-50 by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: I'M ALL ALONE IN THIS WORLD, SHE SAID
Last Line: He said, share your bed / and your money, too
Subject(s): AFRICAN AMERICANS; NEGROES; AMERICAN BLACKS;

I'm all alone in this world, she said,
Ain't got nobody to share my bed,
Ain't got nobody to hold my hand-
The truth of the matter's
I ain't got no man.

Big Boy opened his mouth and said,
Trouble with you is
You ain't got no head!
If you had a head and used your mind
You could have me with you
All the time.

She answered, Babe, what must I do?

He said, Share your bed-
And your money, too.




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