ACROSS
 6. (I AM) BIC = IAMBIC <type of poetry>
 8. <description of rotter> PUTRID = PUT RID
 9. ←MYRIAD← AID = DAIRYMAID <worker on farm>
11. "EYE" = AYE <sure>
12. (BATS ARE)* = ABREAST <side by side>
14. NOT ED = NOTED <famous>
16. <sidestep> DODGE = DOD ←EG←
17. <one fiddling> CHEATER = C HEATER
18. <lower sound> MOO = M _O _O
19. (SENDS WORD)* = DRESS DOWN <carpet>
21. <covering> SHEATH = S_ + HEATH
22. <piece of cake> BREEZE = "BRIES"

DOWN
 1. <unpredictable person> WILD CARD = (DID CRAWL)*
 2. TY outside ID = TIDY <orderly>
 3. <help> GUIDANCE = GUI + DANCE
 4. →"STRESSED BROKE"← = BREASTSTROKE <way to stay afloat>
 5. <woodworking tool> ADZE = (.d)AD ZE(a.)
 7. (TRIED HOT MEAL)* = MAITRE D'HOTEL <waitstaff boss>
10. RECITAL* = ARTICLE <a?>
13. <story> ANECDOTE = (ONE CADET)*
15. DEED outside RANG = DERANGED <crazy>
18. <fail to notice> MISS <young woman>
20. ←ERIS← = SIRE <father>