is a queer nonimmigrant poet raised in Texas. They have lived in the United States on temporary status for fifteen years. You can find their poems in Sundog Lit, EXPOST Mag,  O’Lickety Split and elsewhere. They received their MFA in Poetry from the University of Michigan Hell Zell Writers’ Program where they are a current Zell Fellow. Their internet thoughts reside @apricotpoet. When not online, A. Shaikh is probably daydreaming and/or giving their partner a kiss.