NEIGHBORS

Themistocles lived near the pit
Where the town put bodies
Deemed too vile for burying.
When no one was by, it was said,
He might strew handfuls of dirt
Or mutter a few words for them.
The Athenians claimed gods
Joined the rowers he commanded
At the Battle of Salamis. The magi
Watching from high Persian decks,
Asked if Greek gods always appeared
Looking like felons and miscreants?