The Stegae, the Stegae, the Stegae's on Fire.

Athens is burning as riots spread across Greece in response to the new and severe spending cuts and tax hikes approved by parliament in order to bring Greece into compliance with the requirements for Europe's new bailout.

In Athens all the money’s running short.
The shops, some 34, are all ablaze,
And Europe ticks away remaining days
Until the Grecians pay, or they abort
Attempting the impossible. Police
Are out in riot gear; the Grecians, masks.
Preoccupied with their respective tasks –
Of beating or of burning – any peace
Or any hope of future unity
Or reconciliation in a land
Where money’s either borrowed, or it’s banned,
Is very slim indeed. If Grecians the
Austerity refuse, the very core
Of all the west may suffer evermore.