Her smile is soft and well-composed All her features carefully dignified Clear eyes meet yours as she speaks Betraying nothing of what lies behind And then her poise dissolves in a laugh Unvetted her words are quick and free For a moment you marvel at the glow Before she realises what you can see The gentle smile slides back into place As the tiger becomes a placid fawn She douses the scintillating light And swiftly the curtains are drawn -Rebecca Allsopp