In Response to Muriel Rukeyser’s “Ballad of Orange and Grape”

I could not tell the difference
by taste or smell—
I could not tell.

I could not tell that orange was a real color
and grape a fruit
that could be green, or red, or black.

I could not tell one flavor of poisoned sugar from another.
Both names were lies for me to sell.
I could not tell

if anyone would care about these labels
the dying do not care.
Is orange hope? Does purple mean despair?
I could not tell.

Available! High-Voltage Lines, Knocking from Inside