The 'African Christmas Tree' parched on the hill Another day of relentless sun Clouds form and then vanish with no drop of rain Days into weeks, weeks into months the dryness remains In the halls of the distant malls, children seek toys It is time to be merry, time to have fun Long after the presents, the feast and the cheer The African Christmas tree stands stark in the sun Defiant again for another dry year ---- Olympus FE100x710 F/4.2 1/1100SEC. Cape Town , South Africa