He died destitute.

His work was in vain.

Unseen.

There was no profit in him.

Or he lost it all;
a greater tragedy than never making a mark.

For a mint leaves a sickening taste 
when it is here one day and
gone at the very end.

Do not fail to stay whole, liquid,
this is his caution'ry tale.

He may have touched many lives
and wrought the world anew,
but his lightness at the finale 
was a status all must rue.