
A Scree Slope Beneath the Summer Cliff
The scree slope lies beneath a high cliff where loose rock has accumulated over many seasons. The surface is a mixture of angular fragments, ranging from small chips to blocks the size of a chair. Sunlight reaches the slope early and warms the stones quickly. A faint line of darker material crosses the scree from a notch in the cliff. It marks where runoff has carried fine sediment downhill. The line is narrow near the top and broadens where the slope becomes less steep. Several stones shift when the wind passes, though none move far. A small clatter travels down the slope and stops against a larger block. I remain on solid ground beyond the scree edge, watching the stones settle. A patch of alpine grass grows beside a boulder. Its roots hold a small pocket of soil, and tiny flowers rise from the center. The plant's low shape keeps it sheltered from the strongest gusts. The scree fragments are sharp and irregular. Many show pale surfaces where they broke recently, while older stones have darker coatings. Their angles lock together in some places and leave open gaps in others. At the slope's base, finer gravel forms a shallow fan. It spreads outward onto a flatter bench, where plants can take root. A few stones roll down after heavy rain and leave narrow tracks in the fan. A large block…
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