A KICK BEFORE CRYING

Hello, I'm Lucy, I'm sure you remember us --
Characters created by Schulz.

Snoopy flew the Sopwith Camel while atop his doghouse --
Chased the cruel Red Baron and stirred the pulse

Of millions of readers with each episode --
The most loved was you, Charlie Brown.

You always tried to kick that pigskin football --
I'd pull it back and you would fall down.

You felt so embarrassed in front of Linus and Pigpen --
We wished that Schulz would have a heart.

Even though you will never see the Great Pumpkin,
In every reader's life you had a part.

Now we, like Mr. S., have bowed out into oblivion --
Which is worse, the strip ending, or him dying?

Some unknown, unrecognized, substitute cartoonist
Can't do us justice, even heroically trying.

Let's have one more kick before we all start to cry --
You can do it, I'll hold it on the ground.

Trust me, remember, "Psychiatric help ten cents."
You're a good man, Charlie Brown.

                                      by D. Edgar Murray 02/15/2000.