Happy birthday, Kristofferson.

Kris Kristofferson was born on this date in 1936.

Forget about Nashville, forget about "country" music, or any kind of music ... Kristofferson is a poet.

Feeling Mortal

Wide awake and feeling mortal

At this moment in the dream

That old man there in the mirror

And my shaky self-esteem

Here today and gone tomorrow

That’s the way it’s got to be

With an empty blue horizon

For as far as I can see

God Almighty here I am

Am I where I ought to be

I’ve begun to soon descend

Like the sun into the sea

And I thank my lucky stars

From here to eternity

For the artist that you are

And the man you made of me

Pretty speeches still unspoken

Perfect circles in the sand

Rules and promises I’ve broken

That I still don’t understand

Soon or later I’ll be leaving

I’m a winner either way

For the laughter and the loving

That I’m living with today

Wide awake and feeling mortal

- Kris Kristofferson