Albert Einstein 39 - An Extraordinary Memorandum Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

In November 1913, Dr Einstein was elected
To the Prussian Academy of Sciences,
As a research Professor at the University of Berlin,
With high salary, status and position.
One wonders how Dr. Einstein accepted this job,
Especially, when he was much opposed and detested
The Prussians and their educational system.

The reason why Dr. Einstein accepted to move to Berlin,
Apart from his excellent opportunity for further research,
Was obviously to be near where his heart throb - Elsa lived.
He arrived at a bitter and grotesque view of his own marriage,
And wanted to separate from Mileva at the earliest.
But Mileva was not ready to break the marriage bond with Albert.

Dr. Einstein laid out an extraordinary ‘Memorandum'
And placed it before his wife Mileva
As prerequisite, for the continuity of their marriage.
"(A) You will see to it that
(1) My clothes and laundry are kept in good order;
(2) I will be served three meals regularly in my room;
(3) My bedroom and study are kept tidy,
and especially that my desk is left for my use only."

"(B) You will relinquish all personal relations with me
in so far as they are not completely necessary
for social reasons. Particularly, you will forgo my
(1) staying at home with you;
(2) going out or traveling with you."

"(C) You will follow the following points
in your relations with me.
(1) You will not expect any tenderness from me,
Nor will you offer any suggestions to me;
(2) You will stop talking to me about something if I request it;
(3) You will leave my bedroom or study
without argument If I request it."

"(D) You will undertake not to belittle me
in front of our children, either through words or behaviour."

Most unfortunately, for Albert and Mileva,
This was the result of eleven years of marriage!
How can love end,
In such an unscrupulous and unendurable way?

A frustrated Einstein wrote to his love Elsa:
" I am treating my wife like an employee
Whom I can't fire……..
She is an unfriendly, humourless creature
Who gets nothing out of life
And who, by her mere presence,
Extinguishes other people's joy of living."

A Biographical Poem