Who knew "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" was a beacon of morality?

The series has been gone from TV since 2003, but its fans are unbelievably fervent and loyal.  A professor at a college near Philadelphia thinks Buffy is worthy of serious academic study.  There's an undergraduate journal of research into Buffy that claims she raises eternal questions about "the conflict of our good and evil sides."

One viewer who heard us talk about that story this morning is so moved by Buffy, she wrote a poem expressing her feelings.   Lin Van Gelder, of Torrance, is a member of the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Fan Club.

Here's her poem:

Buffy, the Moral Barometer

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, it’s finally true, classes conducted are featuring you.

Books and discussions ask the profound question When faced with a dilemma, what would Buffy do?

Worldwide, universities ponder your methods, while troubled teens learn from your valuations.

While Jesus and Moses and Allah and Krishna must quietly vanish from children’s education,

You and your vampire slaying are saving

the ethical day, in my estimation.

You and your friends act with honor and truth, and the monsters learn quickly they haven’t a clue.

Mr. Pointy, your friend, makes quick work of demons, there was lightning-fast fighting and dying, each season.

What defines right from wrong? Is there life after death?

Each week you explored some of life’s tougher questions.

Perhaps moral lessons were always the goal, Such as, what are the consequences to having a soul?

Some even compare you to Buddha, it seems.

(But I think that may be a little extreme.)

Syndication please save us, since the series is through, Otherwise, we might not know what to do…

It's a little over the top for me, but hey, when a viewer writes a poem, we publish it (unless it's a dirty limerick).