Grandfather Says (Ai)

So it's neither food nor drink related, but today's poem by Ai is domestic and dark.

It's a story of a poem. Very simply told in prosy language. It's a chilling poem with its childish game of hide-and-seek contrasting with pedophilia and incest. I have a hard time dealing with the language or poetic merit of the thing, because of its emotional impact. I do wonder why this is a poem instead of written out in prose. Why isn't it an essay or article? Would the impact be lessened?

Favorite line: "It's after dinner playtime."