With Apologies To The World

My myopic concerns assume a pronounced air of pettiness, a polish of indubitable conceit when placed in line with the devastating attack directed yesterday by a yet-unidentified perpetrator.  As you are likely aware, three individuals were lost to explosive devices, including 8-year-old Martin Richard, with scores of participants and revelers maimed as the Boston Marathon neared its final hours.  Attending physicians report that many victims sustained injuries to the lower half of their bodies, a devastating prognosis for the athletically inclined and anyone who prizes mobility.  My mind almost immediately recalled stories of similar atrocity at politically-neutral functions in the Middle East that surface every few weeks, wherein a marketplace, tour bus, or communal celebration is gutted by forceful, cowardly measure.  It was brought to my attention that even errant US strikes have killed scores over the past decade, including members of an Afghan wedding party.  The world is shaded in so much darkness that I suppose it was only a matter of time before our own shores were once again defiled by shades of terrorism.  And yet, we have not had long intermission since the deaths of the two-dozen children in Connecticut last Christmas, or even the storms that ravaged the east coast at Halloween.  Patriots' Day was being observed Monday here in New England --thus our holidays seem to be increasingly marred by these staggered atrocities.  My heart still drops at the memory of the eighty-seven days in which crude oil spilled into the (relatively) pristine Gulf Coast waters, as triggered by the sinking of BP's Deepwater Horizon rig three years ago this month.  This only adds to the strife, hunger, disease seen globally and the continued depletion of natural resources with the decline of Arctic preserves and annihilation of so many precious species.  Yes, I have allowed my thoughts to amble here, but only to prove I am shame-faced when discussing the self-contained battles at play on these pages.  May I learn to broaden the scope of my life's efforts and concerns in a rally to earn the forgiveness of those facing far worse.