Crossword Genius

Three-part poem and gossip about penning it (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

trifid

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'three-part poem' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'gossip about penning it' is the wordplay.
'gossip' becomes 'dirt' (as in the phrase 'dish the dirt').
'about' is a reversal indicator.
'penning' indicates putting letters inside.
'it' becomes 'if' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'dirt' backwards is 'trid'.
'trid' going around 'if' is 'TRIFID'.

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for trifid that I've seen is " Botanically divided into three lobes".)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times and The Times.
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