A terrible beauty 

You told me about the squat toilets 

You told me about getting the shits and not to drink the water 

You told me about the dirt and the back breaking roads. 

You told me about the poor food 

You told me about the smog and to wear a mask when in the city but 

You didn’t tell me about the heart-aching beauty  

You didn’t tell me about the sunset turning the mountains pink 

You didn’t tell about the green, the green terraces like a geometric jigsaw 

You didn’t tell me about the eagles soaring, wing-tips spread as they search for prey.     

You didn’t tell me about the groups of Nepali women like a flock of crimson flamingos 

No you didn’t tell me it all….