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.####.#..#             the alvar fields             ##..#.#.##
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#.##.#.#.# 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.          ..##.#..#.
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