Year 12 student Jessie has made an extraordinary mark on Barker College’s creative landscape with the self-publication of her debut poetry collection, Daughters of the Delta. Now available in the Barker College library, the book is a lyrical exploration of youth, love, and the symbolism of water—a theme that runs deep through Jessie’s life and writing.
“Water bears special meaning for me,” Jessie explains.
“It’s not just because I was born and raised in places by the water. It’s also a symbol, a mysterious, almost fated connection—complex and endlessly fascinating.”
The title was inspired by her poem Where the River Meets the Sea, a meditation on friendship, love, betrayal, and farewell. “The delta, where the river merges with the ocean, seems to carry the weight of that same tragic fate,” she reflects.
Jessie’s journey with poetry began at age ten, when she first encountered Rose of the Time, a collection that opened her eyes to the freedom and emotional depth of the form. Since then, she has developed a unique voice influenced by artists who explore the darker edges of love and beauty—poet Marina Tsvetaeva, singer Aurora Aksnes, and painter Egon Schiele among them.
Publishing Daughters of the Delta was not without its challenges. “Sometimes I could sit at the table for a whole day without writing a single word,” Jessie admits. Her solution was to write something—anything—each day, and to lean into other art forms when inspiration waned. “When I get tired of writing, I swap to painting or music for a few days or even weeks.”
Through this creative process, Jessie discovered a new understanding of inspiration. “I used to believe that writing meant struggling for words,” she says. “But when inspired, the words flow naturally, as if they already exist.” One of her poems, Aquatic Roots, was written in just 20 minutes during a free period—proof, she says, of the power of spontaneous creativity.
Having her work housed in the Barker College library is a moment of deep significance. “I told the teachers, ‘Youth reach eternity here,’” Jessie shares.
“I will grow old and lose the passion I have now, but in the library, youth forever exists. Future generations will read the words I left behind and reflect on their own youth. That’s what makes literature sacred.”
Jessie credits Barker College for nurturing her creative development. She thanks her English teacher Ms Lin and Ms Ware, who leads the creative writing club, for their guidance. She also found inspiration in the Books and Bikkies club, where she could share her love of literature with peers.
Looking ahead, Jessie is working on a new collection of lyrical essays titled Why Aether Doesn’t Exist, which blends science, humanity, and personal experience. Her advice to fellow young writers is simple but profound: “Always remain passionate about literature.” Quoting Dead Poets Society, she reminds us, “Poetry, beauty, romance, love—these are what we stay alive for.”