Study poetry? The opposite (8)
I believe the answer is:
converse
'the opposite' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'study poetry?' is the wordplay.
'study' becomes 'con' (con can informally mean to study).
'poetry?' becomes 'verse' ('verse' can be a synonym of 'poetry').
'con'+'verse'='CONVERSE'
(Other definitions for converse that I've seen before include "express thoughts and ideas?" , "Discourse" , "Remain silent? No" , "Opposing" , "Communicate with" .)