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.