Poetically, it's never about decline being more pathetic (7)
I believe the answer is:
needier
'more pathetic' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are comparative adjectives. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'poetically it's never about decline' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'decline' could be 'die' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'die' is present in the answer.
'never' could be 'neer' (synonyms) and 'neer' is found in the remaining letters.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'being' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for needier that I've seen before include "Poorer" , "poor, ultimately - more so than others" , "Those with fewer resources are" , "Less well off" , "more impoverished" .)