Mike Freedman
Separate Ways
As I wait outside the Casa Mia for a lift to work, an old black guy walks towards me, then steps off the pavement into the road to pass, although the pavement is plenty big enough for us both. I turn to watch his wide detour. When he’s well passed, he reclaims the pavement. His personal apartheid? Or mine? Or shared, two prisoners chained to opposite walls? I turn back to look for Stu’s car.
tin mug for girl
china for madame and friends
same teabags
Note: October 1975—South Africa invades Angola to support UNITA in advance of Angola’s independence election.
About the Author
Mike Freedman lives in Durban, South Africa. He facilitates futures for towns and cities, grows purpose-driven brands for new and blue chips, and writes incessantly. He is now writing a memoir, made up of haibun, called “Fragments.” He publishes one haibun a week on Substack. https://mfreedman.substack.com