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.