They have their worth for a poet (5)

I believe the answer is:

words

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'they' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for words that I've seen before include "Discussion" , "Angry talk" , "Linguistic units" , "Lyrics" , "Units of language" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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