THE ESSENCE OF THE MAN

Beneath the flesh, beneath the bone,

Beyond the name that time has sown

A man is not measured by fortune or frame 

But by gentle deeds that outlive his name

Not in his riches,  nor the crown on his head, 

Not in the stories of glory once spread

Not in his shadow, not in his name

Not in the trophies of worldly flame

It lives in his aloneness as the hand it gives

In his unseen courage, the life that he lives

It shines where the truth and mercy meets

In humble hands, in hearts that beats

Man is the fire that refuse to die 

He has the courage when all seems to die

Forgetting the lie, a kindness begun

This-only this-is the essence of the man

                                        Aqib Hussain 

About the Poem:

This poem explores the true definition of a man’s character. It suggests that a person’s worth is not defined by material wealth, fame, or social status, but by their silent acts of kindness and integrity.

​Key Themes:

• ​True Legacy: Real success is measured by the gentle deeds that live on long after a person is gone.
• ​Inner Virtue: Courage and mercy are more valuable than worldly trophies or crowns.
• ​Humanity: The "essence" of a man lies in his ability to remain truthful and kind, even in moments of solitude or hardship