Alessandra Nysether-Santos (they/she) is a new mother living in Florida with their sweet lil family. Alessandra is the author of fat magic (2025). They are a Brazilian American and Jersey Italian writer, artist, and facilitator of community offerings like creative workshops, faith exploration programs at her local Unitarian Universalist church, and moon circles.

 

Here are some words about the inspiration behind her winning submission, "dear mom". . .

 

"This letter-poem flowed out of me one day in National Poetry Writing Month. Unlike many of the first drafts I churn out each April, this one immediately asked to be shared, so I recorded it for my mom, crying as I read. I had never before sent a poem to her like this. She saved the audio message and thanked me for loving her. I had my own first child just a few months ago and my mom has been an incredible support to us."

 

Read Alessandra's winning poem in our Summer Edition