Salma Antonia Alfaqeeh is a writer, poet, actor, and hair dye enthusiast. She has been writing since the age of 6, with an emphasis on poetry since beginning at Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts (where they are currently a junior). They were awarded 2 Gold Keys for poetry in the 2022 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards; one collection went on to win a Silver Medal. She currently serves as the first Youth Poet Laureate for the Yuba Sutter area through Yuba-Sutter Arts and Culture.

MICRO

thing of the Woods

By SALMA ANTONIA ALFAQEEH

I see a story on my family's body, each gnarled branch a collective of punishment.