exceptions play by rules

Beyond the possibility of questioning,
certain marine reptiles once thought to be extinct
continue to live in the depths.
Through the ages they have evolved
and adapted to fantastic pressures that play upon them;
for which reason we observe them but rarely--
when they are sick,  or have been injured.
On such occasions they swim toward the surface,
becoming visible to us for a little while.

I believe the sea is preparing specific revelations
for the benefit of Man,
who has forgotten the value of himself.

Now,  another day comes quietly to its end.

The night is lambent;
it is wholly beautiful.

      - Evan S. Connell  (pg 151 of - Notes from a bottle....  1962   Viking Press)

it is hard to put the writing of Connell into a category.  often
you'll find his works in the poetry shelves of used bookstores
but it isn't rightly poetry...does not set out to be poetry.
insofar as he weaves a theme from beginning to end through a long series of
aphorisms independent insights or thematically arranged points of view 
one could call notes from a bottle found on the beach at carmel a long poem.
but more rightly it may be referred to as a narrative without particular characters.
i find him to be one of the most hard-hitting honest writers of the 20th century.