vocabulary

poise: a state of balance or equilibrium, as from equality or equal distribution of weight;
 Example: The ballerina's poise was perfect.

wistful: characterized by melancholy; longing; yearning.
Example: When my grandmother is feeling wistful, she likes to talk about her years as a teenage girl.

sneer: to smile, laugh, or contort the face in a manner that shows scorn or contempt.
Example: Carlos turned, a smile on his face but a sneer in his voice.