They were a lovely family of puppyish rulers

whose days spread out like scattered roses

& who, despite their ease, were seldom foolish.

The first son was a Brad Pitt lookalike,

& the daughter was regarded as an archetype

among those for whom archetypes matter.

Both took after their father, who was a player.

The middle brother was also a player

although he took after mother in both wit

& charm. In later life, a retired architect,

he lived in a small castle made of straw

& packed mud, but clad in redbrick.