Standing before empty chest (5)
I believe the answer is:
erect
'standing' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'before empty chest' is the wordplay.
'before' becomes 'ere' (poetic term for 'before').
'empty' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters).
'chest' with its middle removed is 'ct'.
'ere'+'ct'='ERECT'
(Other definitions for erect that I've seen before include "Upright; put up" , "Upright or vertical" , "Upright; construct" , "Assemble" , "Upstanding" .)