taste of concern

*taste of concern*

I acquired a beverage
Yay
Something to quench thirst

Yet
something tastes
not funny

The second ingredient listed
on the opaque can
is "colour"

Colour
is not for drinking
is it?
I, personally
would not colour
apple juice

My main concern
is the final ingredient
"flavour"
No number listed
simply, "flavour"

"Flavour"
could be literally anything
No way to know
without a number

What am I drinking?
I do not know
Some dark hue
and a "flavour"
that tastes of concern

This is why I like
the honesty
of Shichimi Togarashi
which plainly lists its ingredients
Red pepper
Orange peel
White sesame
Black sesame
Japanese pepper
Seaweed
Ginger
Good stuff, Shichimi Togarashi
I especially appreciate
the honesty

"Flavour"...
"Flavour"...
My thirst
for such a mysterious beverage
has been quenched
as I refuse to consume
that which cannot be discerned

"Flavour"...
"Flavour"...
The taste of concern

-

Leave someone
in the dark
and all they see
is darkness