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I'm a non-native English speaker trying to get better at English cryptic crosswords. Looking at the Guardian's cryptic crossword #28,259, 11 across:

"Poet recounts fifth item found on beach (7)".

Fifth item found on beach got me to "SHELLE", which logically needs a Y to make a poet, but I don't see anything in the clue that points to it. Does it have something to do with "recounts", or does that just refer to the parts of the clue being in reverse order?

I didn't think it was a good clue. The first shell would be "shell A", so the fifth would be "shell E". This sounds like ("recounts") the poet Shelley.

Hi Bigblind (do you play poker?)

Well done on being a non-native speaker doing cryptic crosswords - it can't be easy!

You're right that "recounts" is relevant - it tells you that it's a 'homophone' type clue, so "Shelley" and "Shell E" are both pronounced the same.......,.or not - depending where you come from:-)

Thx, that makes sense now.

Reminds me of Picaroon, 28,249, not that long ago...

President’s eighth vehicle? (4) BUSH

I’m not a fan