The following poem, written by David Friedman, shows off his genius with words (in addition to his painting).  It was read at his Celebration of Life Service last Sunday and seems to encapsulate his spirit perfectly.

End Game Lament or, I’ve Never Been This Old Before in My Life
by David Friedman

I’m running out of time.
Life is moving faster these days
 and I am moving slower.
At the end of the day, I end up feeling behind…
 like I’m losing ground, can’t keep up the pace.
Each day, there is so much that does not get done,
 so much I wanted to do, to see, to be.
There is so much unfinished business remaining.
The ”To Do” lists keep accumulating faster
 than I can cross out the items that need Do-ing.

I am beginning to think that maybe
 I will not be getting my picture
  on the cover of Time Magazine.
I may not get a MacArthur Genius grant.
Ken Burns may not do a documentary of my life
 and… I will never be interviewed by Ari Melber.

There will likely not be an Oscar for me
 at the Academy Awards…
and the Academy will probably not honor me
 with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
I might not get a star on Hollywood Boulevard.
 It’s not in the stars.
I will probably never receive a Pulitzer Prize for Peace…
 or Literature, Biology, Physics, Art, etc.

Time is running out.
The sand in my Life’s hourglass is free-falling
 …without a net …at an accelerating pace.

I can count my chickens… because they have hatched.
I see the writing on the wall… it says ”NO EXIT.”
I have taken the “the road less traveled”… and, up ahead,
 I see in the mist a sign that reads… ”NO OUTLET.”

The light at the end of the tunnel is flickering
 and the winding up is winding down.
Soon it will be time to say ‘goodbye’ …
 and let up, let it be, let go and leave.

What’s done is done… what’s not is un–.

That’s my story…
 and soon it will be history.
Aloha, Shalom, Namaste… and all that jazz.
 Over and out