Crossword Genius

Pokes gently with sticks (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

prods

'pokes' is the definition.
('prod' can be a synonym of 'poke')

'gently with sticks' is the wordplay.
'gently' becomes 'p' (musical abbreviation for 'piano', softly).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'sticks' becomes 'rods' (I've seen this in another clue).
'p'+'rods'='PRODS'

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