poetise

Poetise is a verb that means to render something into the form or style of poetry, or to express a concept or narrative using a poetic language. The word is typically used in contexts where prose or ordinary speech is transformed into a verse structure, often with attention to meter, rhyme, imagery, and other poetic devices. It can also describe the act of framing an ordinary idea in a more lyrical, evocative manner, even if the result is not strictly metrical.

The term derives from the noun poet—an individual who creates poetry—and the suffix –ise, which in English functions as a verb-forming suffix. While poetise is not a widespread term in everyday usage, it appears in literary criticism, creative writing instruction, and discussions of adaptation, such as when a novel is converted into a poem or when a dialogue is recast in verse for a stage adaptation.

In literary contexts, poetise may be applied to a wide range of genres. For instance, a biographer might poetise a life story by selecting core events and morphing them into iambic pentameter. In social media, users often poetise mundane moments, creating short verses that capture a fleeting feeling or observation. The practice emphasizes nuance: a poetised text often balances meaning with musicality and rhythm.

Critics note that poetise can be a useful pedagogical tool. By encouraging writers to reimagine prose as verse, the exercise promotes awareness of how sound, flow, and alliteration influence emotional impact. It also exposes writers to the constraints of poetic form—such as enjambment, caesura, and stanzaic structure—that enhance their overall craft.