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.