“My friend
My fellow traveler
Don’t ask where I go

The only logical answer
Unhelpful and yet not,
Is that I do not know.

A pen is
An instrument
It doesn’t know how to write

Does a ball
Ever know
The trajectory of its flight?

The drunk and
The policeman
Are characters in this play

Pieces on a
Chessboard
Can only move in a certain way.” -Rumi

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Rumi’s poem Don’t Ask reflects his deep Sufi beliefs about life, fate, and the mystery of existence. The poem is written in a simple yet thought-provoking way. It invites readers to question how much control we truly have over our lives. It encourages embracing the journey without always seeking answers.

Key Themes:
Uncertainty and Mystery:
The speaker admits they do not know where they are going. This reflects the idea that life’s path is unpredictable, and we must accept the unknown instead of seeking definite answers.

Human Powerlessness:
Rumi uses metaphors like a pen and a ball. He illustrates that humans, like tools or objects, often don’t control their own destinies. Just as a pen doesn’t decide what to write, people may not fully understand the forces guiding their lives.

Life as a Play or Game:
The poem compares life to a play or a chess game. Characters like the drunk and the policeman, or pieces on a chessboard, are bound by certain roles and rules. This suggests that people, too, may have limitations in how they move through life.

Surrender to the Divine:
Rumi’s deeper message is about surrendering to a higher power. Instead of trying to control everything or demanding to know the future, we should trust the greater plan, much like a pen trusts the writer.

Takeaway:
Don’t Ask teaches us that it’s okay not to have all the answers. Life’s journey is full of mysteries, and instead of trying to control or understand everything, we should embrace our role in the larger story. Rumi encourages us to trust the process and live with faith, curiosity, and a sense of wonder.