Intends me to join a couple of Poles (5)
I believe the answer is:
means
'intends' is the definition.
('mean' can be a synonym of 'intend')
'me to join a couple of poles' is the wordplay.
'to join' says to put letters next to each other.
'couple of poles' becomes 'ns'.
'me'+'a'+'ns'='MEANS'
(Other definitions for means that I've seen before include "Designs" , "Pecuniary resources" , "has significance" , "Resources or money to support oneself" , "Resources; intends" .)