[ WP ] turn a song into a book !

I wrote this a few months ago based on two songs from Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show... Carry me, Carrie and Queen of the Silver Dollar. 
 
 I remember Alan Jeffreys fondly. Some would just dismiss him as an alcoholic homeless man, but I know better. I saw his need... his soul. 
 The year was 1972. It was in the evening at the corner of Second Street and Broadway. I saw this guy sitting in a doorway with his head held in his hands. At first I thought he was praying, but he was n't. 
 He was dirty and dressed in filthy clothing. He had one foot wrapped in an old rag. In his hand he held a bottle in a brown bag. He was muttering as he tried to stand, but fell back down. 
 I got a bit nearer to him and heard his slurred words. He said, `` Come on Carrie, carry me a little farther. Come on Carrie, carry me one more mile. I do n't know where it's leading to, but I know I can make it if I lean on you. So, come on Carrie, carry me a little. I carried you, now carry me a little. Come on Carrie, carry me a little while.'' He kept repeating it almost like he was chanting. I was in utter shock. 
 After a couple more attempts he finally got to his feet. He took a swig from his bottle and threw it into the street. Then, in a drunken stupor he staggered down the street to a 5 and Dime store. I felt compelled to follow him. 
 By the time I caught up to him he was staring at his reflection in the window and laughing. He then turned is face toward the heavens and began shouting something about a mountain he could climb if only she were there to point the right direction. Then came the tears, the tears of a broken man. 
 I felt an incredible sorrow for this man that I had n't ever met before. I quietly walked over to him and said hello. He turned and wiped all of the snot and tears onto his sleeve. He tried to be gruff, but just looked... defeated. He said hello back. 
 After a few minutes of conversation I learned that his name was Alan and that he had come from Iowa chasing his high school sweetheart, Carrie. He said that they were engaged to be married when a man came and wooed her away at the county fair. 
 He had been searching for her for longer than he could remember. I asked him why he did n't give up and he told me that he had and would always love her. 
 I was moved by this devotion. I could n't help but to offer him a dinner and a drink at my favorite local pub... The Silver Dollar. 
 When we walked into the smokey room we saw her, the Queen of the Silver Dollar. She held her wineglass like a scepter and sat regally on the barstool, like it was her throne. There were guys flocking around her, trying to take her home. She looked tired, her satin dress was stained and slightly torn. When she looked toward us I saw a look of pain and sorrow cross her once pretty face. 
 Alan smiled widely and pushed his way through the crowd. When he finally got to her he stared into her eyes and said, `` Hi Carrie.'' 
 I was blown away. It was her. She looked like he had described her, only older and worn. I walked to a table a watched as they spoke. It was mesmerizing to see how her face came alive in his presence. After awhile Alan came over to my table and smiled. He had tears in his eyes again, but these reflected nothing but pure joy. He said, `` You helped me find her. Thank you. Bless you Shel, bless you.'' 
 
 This was my tribute to Shel Silverstein. Sorry for the formatting.
