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...^«†*%##             THE ALVAR FIELDS             ##%*†«^...
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....^«†*%# THOUSAND METERS.  FROM TOPSOIL TO STONE, #%*†«^....
...^«†*%## A FOOT OR  TWO. NO ROOTS  CAN FESTER, NO ##%*†«^...
..^«†*%###             DUST CAN LINGER.             ###%*†«^..
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....^«†*%# 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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