Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the square
Not a creature was stirring, there was nobody there.
All the presents were laid ‘neath the tree with great care,
But with no Christmas lights ’twas completely bare.

I never expected to see our city’s beautiful Christmas tree completely in the dark, let alone photograph it but here it is.

I knew something was wrong as I approached Victoria Square. It was dark and all the traffic lights were out. My initial reaction was disappointment. After all I had made a special trip into the City just for this image. I even drove off and waited for a while to see if the power was restored. A second time I was disappointed and about to drive home when it suddenly dawned on me, what an opportunity to show something special.

So here it is, our city’s unadorned Christmas Tree.

Merry Christmas.

Photo: Robert Rath, ‘Day 988, Unadorned Christmas’, 120s f/13 ISO160 15mm