Crossword Genius

Figure the poem is some kind of secret message (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

code

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'secret message' is the definition.
(message written in code)

'figure the poem' is the wordplay.
'figure' becomes 'c' (I've seen this in other clues).
'the poem' becomes 'ode' (ode is a type of poem).
'c'+'ode'='CODE'

'is some kind of' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for code that I've seen before include "Secret language" , "System used to disguise or represent words, like Morse" , "See 12" , "See 21 Across" , "Secret symbols" .)

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