the alvar fields             
                          
                                          
 from   north   to  south,   thirty   odd 
 kilometers.  from  west  to  east,  four 
 thousand meters.  from topsoil to stone, 
 a foot  or two. no  roots can fester, no 
             dust can linger.             
                                          
 here  is earth,  clay,  and  sturdy  low 
 plants.  bushes  frame  the  strip.  the 
 earth  is  bare  in patches as large  as 
               you and me.                
                                          
 cross it  to get  to the ocean, or don't 
          to stay where you are.