''Spectra: A Book of Poetic Experiments'' was a small volume of

poetry Poetry (from the Greek language, Greek word ''poiesis'', "making") is a form of literature, literary art that uses aesthetics, aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meaning (linguistics), meanings in addition to, or in ...

published in 1916 by American writers

Witter Bynner Harold Witter Bynner (August 10, 1881 – June 1, 1968), also known by the pen name Emanuel Morgan, was an American poet and translator. He was known for his long residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and association with other literary figures ther ...

, who wrote under the

pseudonym A pseudonym (; ) or alias () is a fictitious name that a person assumes for a particular purpose, which differs from their original or true meaning ( orthonym). This also differs from a new name that entirely or legally replaces an individual's o ...

"Emanuel Morgan", and Arthur Davison Ficke, who wrote as "Anne Knish." The book was intended as

satire Satire is a genre of the visual, literary, and performing arts, usually in the form of fiction and less frequently non-fiction, in which vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, often with the intent of exposin ...

directed at the

Imagism Imagism was a movement in early-20th-century poetry that favored precision of imagery and clear, sharp language. It is considered to be the first organized modernist literary movement in the English language. Imagism has been termed "a successi ...

poetry movement. ''Spectra'' was preceded by a brief

manifesto A manifesto is a written declaration of the intentions, motives, or views of the issuer, be it an individual, group, political party, or government. A manifesto can accept a previously published opinion or public consensus, but many prominent ...

outlining the Spectric method as a

school A school is the educational institution (and, in the case of in-person learning, the Educational architecture, building) designed to provide learning environments for the teaching of students, usually under the direction of teachers. Most co ...

: *"In the first place, it speaks, to the mind of that process of diffraction by which are disarticulated the several colored and other rays of which light is composed. . . ." *"In its second sense, the term Spectric relates to the reflex vibrations of physical sight, and suggests the luminous appearance which is seen after the exposure of the eye to intense light, and, by analogy, the after-colors of the poets initial vision." *"In its third sense, Spectric connotes the overtones, adumbrations, or spectres which for the poet haunt all objects of both the seen and unseen world. . . ." The poems in the collection were identified by

opus number In music, the opus number is the "work number" that is assigned to a musical composition, or to a set of compositions, to indicate the chronological order of the composer's publication of that work. Opus numbers are used to distinguish among ...

s rather than titles, and mostly take on a silly tone. From "Opus 6" by Emanuel Morgan: :''If I were only dafter'' ::''I might be making hymns'' :''To the liquor of your laughter'' ::''And the lacquer of your limbs.'' Anne Knish's Opus 118: :''If bathing were a virtue, not a lust'' :''I would be dirtiest.'' :''To some, housecleaning is a holy rite.'' :''For myself, houses would be empty'' :''But for the golden motes dancing in sunbeams.'' :''Tax-assessors frequently overlook valuables.'' :''Today they noted my jade.'' :''But my memory of you escaped them.'' ''Spectra'' was intended solely as a joke. Initially, even the publisher was fooled by the book, but he was let in on the joke before going to press. The authors assumed the ridiculousness of the work would shine through, but it was actually accepted as a legitimate poetic movement for two years. In 1918, Bynner admitted in a public speech that he had co-authored the book and explained the hoax.The Spectra Hoax Primary Selections from Special Collections
/ref> Both Bynner and Ficke were accomplished poets of their time, but the ''Spectra'' poems are probably the most widely remembered of their work.Poetry Foundation
Both authors admitted to the hoax having backfired to a certain extent, as it overshadowed their more serious work. Nonetheless, Ficke stated that he learned a good deal about composition while writing as Knish, adding that it actually influenced his later work.

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* {{usurped,

} complete text Literary forgeries American poetry collections Works published under a pseudonym Imagism

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