yellow ribbons

on an old country lane,
at the end of the runway,
of Robin Hood Airport,
in the village of Finningley, 
 grows a mighty tree,
I passed it today,
as I have for thirty years..
now it is decked with
yellow garlands and  bows,
and flowers left in honour
of Melanie, a teenage beauty
who died holding a lantern..
in the early hours,
one terrible chilly night,.
I remember her, just eighteen
working in a sewing factory
just before the bridge,
after Newell Dunfords,,
in Misterton..Corah Plc,
it had been her 18 birthday
and I copied a  video tape
of her party, 
she was bouncy full of life
long gold hair in ringled curls
and a beautiful smile
a happy young girl 
enjoying this time on Earth, 
without care or worry..
I  can't pass the tree unless
I think of her, and her tenderness
and bless that we live each day
to the full,
for Melanie..