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cockie - I think that word X’d is confusing. Interpret it as including the thematic cells too and things may become clearer

It should have read "look at verse number 7" - sorry, my brain is still addled.

CS. Yes, it is symmetrical about one axis.

At last! Thanks to all the hintdroppers. I think the instruction's third word is more than a touch misleading. In tennis the X is in, in rugby, football and cricket it's out. Metaphysical aside: what is a circle? Is it the curve a fixed distance from a fixed point, or is it the inside of this? And if the latter, does it include the boundary? Oh to be an undergraduate again and spend a beer-filled night discussing such arcana. Having said that, and the ambiguity aside - what a magnificent puzzle! If Banjaluka is a newbie (s)he is most welcome.

I agree with others that the instruction is a tad unclear but the preamble does say 103 cells are affected so I've coloured them all in. Wonderful poem, great excuse to re-read it.
Wonder if setter has a connection with the eponymous Bosnian city?

Have got the 103 cells for treatment but still have no idea where the instruction comes from as to how to treat the last four extra words. Is the hint from the across clues 4 2 4 6 or 4 3 3 6? And what 6s are referred to?

Greengage, it's 4, 2, 4, 6, the 6 referring to the thematic material (which is a bit of a chicken and egg situation until you find said material!).

I agree with Candledave that the third word in the final instruction is confusing. I think it's fair, though, as there's no ambiguity once you've got there, If I have a criticism of this fine puzzle, it's that the business with the clashing letters was unnecessarily complicated.

greengage,

It's 4 2 4 6, the 6s reference the thematic poem, see last line of verse 5.

I don't understand the last 2 sentences of your post, greengage, but as far as your first is concerned suggest you look again at verse 5 of the poem (which I assume - from the fact you have the correct number of cells to be treated -you know).

Now I understand those sentences ! The first hint is indeed to be read 4,2,4,6 and not 4,3,3,6