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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.             #..####.##
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#####..... here  is  earth,  clay,  and sturdy  low #####..#.#
.....#.... plants.  bushes  frame  the  strip.  the #....#.###
#....##... earth is bare  in  patches as  large  as ##...###..
##...#.#..               you and me.                ..#..#..#.
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.###.#...# cross it to get  to  the ocean, or don't .##.##.##.
.#..###..#          to stay where you are.          .#.##.##.#
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