Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

[Return to Poems and Thoughts index page]

Kris Kristofferson -- A Look-A-Like? People I met in the 80's and 90's would often say, 'You look like Kris Kristofferson!' I even had an encounter with a gentleman Who traversed a large parking lot to verify Whether or not I was indeed the great star! All this amused me, but I was never sure just why. Kris has just died at the good age of 88. Upon checking on who he really was, Impressed me beyond belief. I had thought he was just a film star, but no: Football player, paratrooper, helicopter pilot, boxer; A Rhodes scholar, studying Shakespeare and William Blake! He was disowned by his military parents, For leaving that institution to write songs. 'His songs were like short stories.' One of his quotes made me feel great kinship: "I am a songwriter, but I'm also concerned with my fellow human beings. And I'm real concerned with the soul of my country." In the end, he had profound short term memory loss, Something which for me, would be devastating, But he persevered and was productive to the end. I may have looked like Kris Kristofferson, but in my now older age, I deeply understand that looks alone are meaningless. He and I have some similarities in our accomplishments, But in spite of his great fame, I would have still felt comfortable To sit with him and juxtapose our philosophies together. Kris, you are a great example of a human using your full potential, honorably. Frank Maurer 5 October 2024 1445 Hours.