OBLIGED by Hana Tiro

obliged to be all healthy
stable and conscious
not missing anything
obliged to be anything
your surrounding needs you to be
and to share yourself with others fully
obliged to be groomed fully
to get together with other people
equally groomed and seen
obliged to be perceived and seen
on the weekends at some place
a getaway, but a bit more special
obliged to be unique and special
on social media each day
motivated, fun and successful
obliged to be equally successful
in real life, to mesmerize someone
obliged to have someone
alas, being alone means loneliness
to those whom you explain your days
obliged to have fulfilled days
so to be ready for business trips
as business trips prove your worth
obliged to show your worth
because others might think of you
as regular, and how could you be?

and enjoy, enjoy it all,
relax and enjoy because you have to
share it, say it, explain it, state it
announce it, describe it, oblige it

and when
were You?
with no
sense of
obligation—
just be

Hana Tiro is a writer from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina – born and raised. Her love for words started at early stage of her childhood, and developed into BA in English Language and Literature, and MA in Comparative Literature. In 2020 she started her project Balkan Art Scene, supporting artists and cultural scene in Balkans.