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.