Uplifting holy books are an inspiration to poets (5)
I believe the answer is:
erato
'an inspiration to poets' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'uplifting holy books are' is the wordplay.
'uplifting' is a reversal indicator.
'holy books' becomes 'OT' (Old Testament).
'ot'+'are'='otare'
'otare' back-to-front is 'ERATO'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for erato that I've seen before include "verses she inspired" , "Muse of lyric poetry and mime" , "Source of poetic inspiration" , "Poetic Muse ; eighteen (anag.)" , "Inspiring female" .)