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granama1 @5 Thank you for the steer. I eventually got there, the poet exploding from his column. I eventually spotted the last three letters of the theme in the grid and got the rest from there. Clever stuff.

Glad you got there gjango. I'd guessed the likely line from the theme word so was looking for a shape and a person but it still took a while before the penny dropped in both cases. 😄

I agree with all the positive comments. An excellent puzzle with a flawless, and flawlessly thematic, mechanism for the final word changes. I thought the “loose description” of the poet was, however loose, nevertheless very apt - and very amusing. Thank you, Ifor.

Thank you, Jack (and others). It's good to share an activity that provides pleasure for both parties.

Evidently my knowledge of poets and their works is deficient, because I have a completed grid, the thematic word... and nothing else.
Would someone nudge me? Thank you.

I forgot to take into account a major attack of dimness when answering 22 (which is quite appropriate!). I picked the wrong elite military, despite looking up the answer.

You're not alone, biggus! I'm not familiar with the works of E.S. Hooterhosen certainly...

Biggus, the thematic word is definitely to be found in the grid, though it's ... interrupted, affected by another word (an essential part of the verse).

Thank you malone, it was driving me nuts, and now I've found it I can't believe I missed it!

Thanks, Ptobes. I'm glad that helped - it was tricky to get the balance right, I wanted to be helpful without simply giving exact details.