The poem of the day for today’s Black History Month Langston Hughes celebration is “50-50.” During February each year, people all across the United States celebrate Black History Month. Things are no different here at Janeane’s World. This month I am copying an idea I got from my friend Pammy Pam over at An Unconventional Librarian and I am devoting the entire month to the poems of my favorite author and poet, Langston Hughes. I will share a poem a day for the entire month.
You may ask what place does poetry or celebrations of Black History month have in this blog that was created to encourage, inspire and motivate women to be their best at work and home. I would answer that I am an African-American woman so black history is my history and when you understand and appreciate it, you come closer to understanding and appreciating me. I would also answer that poetry, like all forms of artistic expression fuels our passions, gives us hope makes us think and makes our lives richer and better.
50-50
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.
This poem, like so many of Hughes’ poems is still relevant even today. There are so many women who are afraid to be alone. Some of them are in fact so afraid that they share precious things with men who are unworthy. The news, social media and neighborhood hair salons are all full of stories about women who out of desperation share their beds and wallets with men so they will not be alone. I have been happily married for 25 years and met my husband when I was only 19 years old. As a result, I have no idea what it is like to be alone and desperately seeking a mate. I am fortunate in this regard