Lichens groving on the rocks are symbiotic organisms, consisting of a species of fungus that lives symbiotically with algae or bacteria. This means the lichen has two separate sets of DNA. The two mutually benefit from each other - the fungus by providing protection to the algae or bacteria, which then in return helps the fungus with photosynthesis and nourishes the overall organism. Thus, the lichen can live under circumstances where the fungus or the algae/bacteria would not be able to survive alone.
When I try to understand how the world is lived and experienced by this hybrid, I am referred to my human limitations, my biases, which create strange dreams of the lichen's sense of poetry and communication.