Maya Salameh Publishes New Poetry Collection While Attending UCLA Law School

Balancing her literary aspirations, Salameh, a San Diego native and second-year student at UCLA School of Law, dedicates her days to studying case law and supporting fundraising initiatives while returning to poetry at night. The collection, published by Haymarket Books on April 7, was launched at a Los Angeles event attended by fellow writers and friends.

Salameh's writing is deeply intertwined with her identity as both a poet and a law student. She states, “I could never divorce my identity as a poet from my identity as a law student. Both poetry and the law are technologies of naming.” Her work reflects on identity, language, and the complexities of cultural narratives.

With roots in Syria and Lebanon, her connection to family history and culture intensified after the civil war halted her visits to her ancestral homes. Growing up in a military-heavy environment post-9/11, she became acutely aware of her Arab identity and its implications in American society.

Salameh began writing as a child, exploring various forms, including short stories and essays. A turning point came when she visited Lebanon as a teenager, which inspired her to write her first significant poem on the flight back. At just 16, she earned the title of National Student Poet, reading her work for First Lady Michelle Obama, and later published her first collection, “How to Make an Algorithm in the Microwave.”

“Mermaid Theory” delves into themes of memory, migration, and the natural world, influenced by the Mediterranean Sea, which Salameh associates with the experiences of displaced Arab peoples. She emphasizes the connection between language and memory, noting how languages interweave and share histories.

After completing degrees in psychology and sociology at Stanford, Salameh turned to law, seeking to merge her interests in advocacy and research. She appreciates UCLA's Critical Race Studies program and its faculty. Now, while participating in a civil rights litigation practicum and assisting clients through her pro bono work, she remains focused on advocating for marginalized communities.

As co-president of the Public Interest Students’ Organization, she promotes public interest careers and community aid initiatives. Salameh has raised over $36,000 for displaced Arab families through her poetry workshops and community organizing efforts.

Despite her busy schedule, poetry is a constant in her life. Though it can be isolating to write alone late at night, she finds it grounding and essential. Salameh's dual commitment to legal and literary pursuits exemplifies her unique path at UCLA, where she adeptly integrates advocacy with artistry.