The Empress

THE PORTRAIT OF A NEW CANADA

The epic newly published work by Emily Isaacson has proved that what makes Canada a nation is being redefined. A Canadian poet who has been read and followed by over 45 countries around the world online, she has written over 800 poems in French and English that make up the authentic document of The Fleur-de-lis. Isaacson's theme is as prophetic in nature as it is symbolic: her central quote depicts the ironwork on the door of the private Commons' entrance, with emblems of the fleur-de-lis, the thistle, the rose, and the shamrock. Three flowers represent the emblems of the UK, England (the rose), Scotland (the thistle) and Ireland (the shamrock) while the fleur-de-lis is a symbol of the new Canada.

Isaacson’s entrance is a depiction of the confederation and the early beginnings of the Peace Tower, in conjunction with the National Film Board of Canada where it was first published along with stunning photography of the gothic architecture in Stones of History. Her first section “House of Gold” revisits the historical roots of Canada, along with the First Nations, and Inuit.

The Emily Isaacson Institute was founded in 2005, for literature, the arts, and medicine. Isaacson was educated at Bastyr University of natural medicine and has worked to create a nutrition program for the First Nations and found a holistic mental health. The Institute offered holistic healing sessions at Xa:ytem Longhouse in Mission, B.C. in 2009. In 2010 Emily Isaacson moved to Abbotsford, where she opened the Health and Wellness Clinic in downtown Clearbrook.

The Emily Isaacson Institute compiled the foreword of the book from notes written by Genevieve Gagne-Hawes, an editor and UBC graduate student mentioned in the Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer as having been an inspiration to her work. The foreword is a road map of the book in its entirety, delineating themes and painting the portrait of a new nation. This is a nation with the essence of what it means to be Canadian, encompassing the history and symbolism of English, French, and First Nations people.

The foreword states that "the new nation that Canada is today develops by way of a transmuting from the old practices of holding to the Commonwealth as opposed to the new practice of independence from this vainglory. The traversing from one world to the next is evidenced in this journey in literature from the old nation to a new nation, in a literal historical voyage from the “Old World” to the new. The primary emphasis for this collection of verse is provided by these two interpretive frames: the idea of nation—and in particular, of the contemporary “break up” of our old ideas of nation, and the reclaiming of Canadian nationhood by both English, French and First Nations people. In a sense it carries a redefinition of what it means personally to be a citizen of this nation and what responsibilities and burdens that belonging carries with it."

If Isaacson had a new flag flying right now in Ottawa it would be of the fleur-de-lis in black and white. She single-handedly took on the task of underwriting the dominion of Canada by compiling her poetry into a document that was sent to Prince William. He has responded favorably to her art and noble aspirations by writing her personally three times, and received a final copy of the book when it was published in three volumes. Its release date was March 29, 2011,  just one month prior to the Royal Wedding. The book has received endorsements from the local MLA, Marc Dalton, to Hollywood actor Bruce Marchiano.

THE FLEUR-DE-LIS in three volumes can now be purchased in bookstores and in our online bookstore.

Read the article on THE FLEUR-DE-LIS in The Abbotsford News:  Celebrating poetry.

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This is a great opportunity to take a tour and learn more about one of the most

historic monuments of this nation, The Peace Tower. 

Thank you for visiting!

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Globe

I.  

In papier-mâché

we framed the words of eloquence:

now chance-forgotten

spears will thread

the tapestry of time

and come to naught:

by moonlight

nymphs and satyrs dance

and woodwinds in the birch

acquiesce to fainted red,

the diamond of the sun, rejoice,

at comings, goings-on

both here and in the earth’s

vast orbit.

 

In the garret of the poor,

the sequence of the light

through shadows fading,

sublime and tested instincts

resort to power;

a finer note to relay

knightly quest:

through icy field and treacherous

tomb withstanding.

 

When at last we come to you,

our guarded thoughts unyielding of

this brittle throne,

how comely in the darkened

evanesce move,

and stately imperial rhymed

with wisdom.

 

II.

The yellow bricks

one upon another

and the road, an open book

that fades as it travels;

in time, the hope

fire rises and burns,

the deceit of man

carried from the womb

relinquished.

 

What wish turned

upwards becomes

a prayer, and myths

take shelter at the door

of the abyss.

 

III.

The angel stands

with balming sword and drawn fury,

to in the eventide bequeath:

the stormy mountain challenged,

the medal bronzed and yielded ’round

encircled thrones—

river of eternal opus,

pearl within the shadows standing.

Witches cannot right indifference;

comfrey plays a careful tune.

 

When I sat beneath thy boughs

I wept at time’s unlessened glance:

thy once plucked rose,

pink-pale with love’s abiding grace.

 

IV.

By night, the angel is steeped in gold,

one single stealth

a moment ’neath the snow;

when the bridge wound its way

over the trestle dressed with steam,

the lake would listen,

and the stars would count their

haloes shining.

 

This is how September would

ripen and fall—

the leaves, swallowed by the river,

and a thousand bodies remember

that power is a swift-drawn sword,

the might of a thousand leagues,

the pegasus that flies at dawn,

at fortune, not our own

but His.

 

One child or two,

our bed is patched with kairos;

the ivy in the garden mingles sweet

with time and breathless channels.

 

The covenant would cower

and tears turn blue,

and light unfading

now writes upon your tomb.

 

V.

The widow dressed in black,

in heaven’s garden mournful,

a child, the solace of eternal realm:

the wedding feast, an eclipsed vow.

 

When I come to thee,

my hands, now worn with years,

a parchment document of my

kindness sealed…

the trunks and cabins glow

with sea-bound moon.

 

VI.

At dusk, the river fallow,

and I unbraid my novice world,

the dainty garden scythed

from jester’s gauntlet.

 

Your hair, from emerald to mosaic floor,

the common courtesy  

of deepened glance,

the slight unspoken chance

to sin no more,

at last.

 

VII.

My heaven dreams of you,

and olives in the garden wait,

the tedious now undone,

and dome, to youth’s vast globe.

 

Where bathing now you dream

and lilies in the ivory float.

 

VIII.

When at last you stand in the light of this tree,

and singing, the boughs

are ripe with color,

wearing all the field’s rich bloom

and wildflowers do adorn you;

the tresses of your hair meet

with the floor,

and I do speak, wishing the eve Godspeed

and the candles, burning low,

do remember you at the window.

 

The soup would be in bowls,

the hearth eloquent and warm at winter,

the oven, a stone that does not cease

to prosper—

my pedestal, a night that rattles on,

and early stories wept in shame.

 

       Emily Isaacson

 

   

  

 

Attempting to pen a few comments on Emily Isaacson’s new work is like a caveman with a chisel and stone trying to capture a resplendent, golden sunset.  Emily is a painter, a sculptor, a ballerina with words.  Her creation is to be savored and sipped slowly on a grassy knoll, not swallowed hurriedly.  Let the reader dance with the poet as she takes one into times past, or to enjoy nature with new eyes, or to be drawn closer to the Creator ...  ‘The Fleur-de-lis’ is a delight.

 Marc Dalton, MLA   Maple Ridge, B.C.

The Fleur-de-lis is such a testament to living in Canada among the diversity, heritage and culture. Emily Isaacson's writing is vivid, imaginative and a joy to experience. Her words literally unfold in a landscape of luxury for the senses, that expands a lifetime of terrain in a glorious pursuit of endless destinations. It is a must read for the sheer enlightenment.
 
Tracy Repchuk
President and Founder of the Canadian Federation of Poets

 Empress of the Peace Tower:

Over 150, 000 visits to Emily Institute sites.