what is the essence of a man?

what is the essence of a man,
that thing that differentiates,
but all he knows and all he can?

the knowledge carried in the hand,
the patterns he perpetuates?
what is the essence of a man,

which past the end of his lifespan,
out from the skin all penetrates,
but all he knows and all he can?

his breath to everywhere it spans,
with voice a heart loud palpitates,
what is the essence of a man?

he is his own uncaptured brand,
as every snowflake's separate fate,
but all he knows and all he can,

is gone when he can no more stand,
his echoes then reverberate,
what is the essence of a man,
but all he knows and all he can?

(C)2009, Christos Rigakos