The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word ODES
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
O
D
E
S
More clues leading to the result ODES
- Love some French poems
- Core of unpretentious poems
- Love of the French works of poetry
- Verses rejected based on content
- Lyric poems in more than one style, devoid of metre
- Poetry’s not extremely modest
- Writes programs, not third-rate poems
- Regularly read soldier’s poems
- Lyrics regularly maintained by toddlers
- No extremes in modest songs
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "works of poetry" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case works of poetry = odes.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ODES mean?
ODES noun- A short poetical composition proper to be set to music or sung; a lyric poem; especially, now, a poem characterized by sustained noble sentiment and appropriate dignity of style.