are macbook air screens really this fragile? a few days into using a new air m2 and my screen already has a small poke/puncture type screen damage

Depends on how you look at it. If the screen closed on something hard enough to dent it, then yes that's the result. If there was nothing hard enough to dent it then that's not normal.

Have Apple evaluate it for warranty repair possibilities or take it back as I assume a "few days" means you're still within the 14 day "free" return period.

Opening and Closing the Lid of the MBA computer should always be done with Both Hand

1 - Using the Notch on the front edge of the lid.

2 - The Lid ( Screen ) has two hinges on either side of the Screen where is joins to the computer

3 - Physics and Mechanical Engineering tells me that using only one hand to close the lid using theTop Right or Left Corner of the screen will place undue Torch on the Screen and Cracks in the screen can occur