Crossword Genius

Poem's code is nonsensical rot! (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

decompose

'rot' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'poem's code is nonsensical' is the wordplay.
'is nonsensical' indicates anagramming the letters.
'poems'+'code'='poemscode'
'poemscode' is an anagram of 'DECOMPOSE'.

(Other definitions for decompose that I've seen before include "Crumble" , "Rot" , "Scooped me in order to decay" , "Go off" , "Spoil" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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