What does the cryptic crossword clue "Old writer holding lives in balance (5)" mean?

The definition is "balance". The wordplay uses a container (one word inside another). IS (synonym="lives") in POE (synonym="Edgar Allen Poe=") = POISE; definition: "balance" The answer is POISE.

Old writer holding lives in balance (5)

Guardian Cryptic #29668 | 13 Down | 2025-04-14 flower

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