but what is the proper word to describe the type of poetic, hypothetical abstraction that follows? - Bellyouth

"If I were a [dead leaf] thou mightest bear" - [Shelley]

It seems Mr. Bellyouth, there was no such narrow word. so let us objectively examine the words suggested in context...
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The soul of Shelley inanimated into a dead leaf.

The soul of Shelley reificated into a dead leaf.

The soul of Shelley objectificated into a dead leaf.

The soul of Shelley deantipersonificated into a dead leaf.

The soul of Shelley deleafified into a dead leaf.

The [soul] of [Shelley] transfigurated into a [dead leaf].



I don't know about you folks, but I vote for green. - -

...or, uh. maybe blue.

Or maybe transmuted, or metamorphised, or maybe...