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.