I hope that is not a poem about a woman of the sidewalk because that would ruin it for me.

Wally, it's not about "a woman of the sidewalk"; trust me.

It's simply about a lonely loveless single woman who wants someone to love her.

Considering the poem was written in 1942, when African-American women depended on men for comfort, protection and financial security, the line "Ain't got nobody to hold my hand" shows she is not thinking about "bed" only.

Iman mo' like the head part.

10 hours ago

 

---

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

 

[Poem "50-50" by African-American poet Langston Hughes, written in 1942]

Feel free to interpret this poem any which way you like.

 

 

 

Here

10 hours ago

 

---

....

Big Boy opened his mouth and said,   

Trouble with you is

You ain’t give no head!

If you used your mind and gave the head

You could have me with you to

share the bed.

She answered, Babe, what must I do?

He said, Share your bed—and your head

And your money, too

 

Thanks for explaining it to me Bookman.  I was thinking that the man was applying for pimp work.

He does want to pimp her. He tells her to think would mean the rational choice of paying him for sex. But we know she is single and has no man in her bed and want more so clearly big boy is not going to get a gig.

Danyael is 100% correct---that man is a bloody pimp---sly and cunning---and there is a 90% chance she will fall for his charm---women of low self esteem fall for such men.

RE: THE WOMAN

No human being--no woman, no man-- can be lonely if they love the person they are alone with----that is themselves.

So most likely the woman hates herself and is looking for someone to give to her what she can't give to herself----love---you have to love yourself first---charity begins at home.

BUT MISERY LOVES COMPANY.

So if she does end up with a man---he'll likely be like her---MISERABLE.

Rev