Which verb can I use with the word "散文"?

Question

So basically, what I want to say is something along the lines of, "He begins his story with a rhyme" or, "He tells a poem and begins his story". What's the word for "tell" here? Is there a verb phrase for this in Japanese?

(By "rhyme" or "poem", I mean something like a "言い習わし" (short Japanese saying), but in the form of a poem. The closest word I could find to it was "散文" and that's why I am using it, but I am open to any suggestions.)

Edit: Can I use,

彼は散文で物語を始めます。

???

Answer 1

In your case, simple verbs like 語る and 話す should work because the poem is just a part of his story. Or you can avoid any verb corresponding to "tell" and say something like 彼の話は詩から始まりました. (詩で物語を始める is a little puzzling.)

You may not need them, but verbs commonly used with verse/poetry include:

• 語る (this can refer to dramatic storytelling like that of a documentary film)
• 朗読する ("to recite")
• 暗唱する ("to recite (from memory)")
• 歌う/唄う (with melody, like a bard)
• 詠む (usually for Japanese haiku/waka)

For example, you can say 彼の話はトルコに伝わる詩の暗唱から始まった.