Crossword Genius

Setbacks concerning poetic endeavours (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

reverses

'setbacks' is the definition.
(I know this)

'concerning poetic endeavours' is the wordplay.
'concerning' becomes 're' (both can mean on a particular topic).
'poetic endeavours' becomes 'verses' (lines of poetry).
're'+'verses'='REVERSES'

(Other definitions for reverses that I've seen before include "Backs up" , "Defeats" , "Setbacks" , "Moves backwards" , "Goes backwards" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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