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If I Could but Touch His Hem

—Mark 5:25-34

Forgive me, Lord, you know it’s true
That I have prayed twelve years to you,
To stop the bleeding and the shame
To live a normal life again.

And now there is this man I hear
From far-off Galilee he’s here.
The rumour goes that he’s Your Son.
Messiah, Christ, the chosen one.

According to the law it’s sin
To worship or bow down to him
For he is a mere mortal, Lord
I fear what will befall me, God.

May I beseech and pray to him?
Will you permit me, Lord this whim?
I had a dream the other night
You whispered, said, that it’s all right.

I know that it was just a dream
But palpable and real it seemed.
Do you still speak to folk like me?
And was this dream direct from thee?

It’s echoed in my head since then
All I need do is touch the hem
Of his cloak, and then…and then
I will be whole and clean again!

So here I am, dear precious Lord
A woman by her folk abhorred.
I’m inching closer with a prayer
To touch his hem, that I must dare.

The crowd around him gathers tight
I see his hem; I can’t lose sight.
It’s there, it’s there. The world’s gone still.
I see his hem, reach it I will!

Oh Lord, have mercy, my heart beats.
He’ll never know. I see his feet.
His hem, his hem, that’s all I need
And from the sickness, I’ll be freed.

I’ve touched it! Yes! His power flows through.
Dear God, He is your Son, it’s true!
I feel a rush, a healing rush
Flow straight through me. Now, there’s a hush.

“Who touched me?” Asks a gentle voice
I stand up then, I have no choice.
“‘Twas I,” I say, now fearing wrath.
I tremble, shake, I am distraught.

“I felt my power flow out,” said he.
Then turned around and looked at me.
The kindest eyes, I e’er did see.
My heart it thundered, furiously.

“‘Twas I,” I said again, head bowed.
Then stepped aside the milling crowd.
“Go forth,” he then said, soft to me,
“Your faith, pure faith has set you free.”

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Rohini Sunderam is author of Corpoetry – Desert Flower – Five Lives One Day in Bahrain published by Ex-L-Ence Publishing. She is a Canadian of Indian origin, and a semi-retired advertising copywriter. Find out more about her on her blog or on Amazon. 

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18 Responses

  1. Roy Eugene Peterson

    This is such a beautiful, heartwarming poem that tells one of the great Bible stories with great sensitivity and soulful art. The loving humanity of the savior is wonderfully expressed as is the reticence of the one who touched the hem of His garment. The message of faith is perfectly presented. Bless you for this religious gem.

    Reply
    • Rohini

      Thank you so much! I have had a busy day so haven’t been able to see the poem and all these fabulous comments.

      Reply
      • Oliver

        Moving indeed, Rohini – now for one on the young girl’ healing that follows?

  2. Margaret Coats

    A poem full of wonder, Rohini. Thirteen quatrains in simple, smooth tetrameter enable you to tell of the woman’s faith in God, her need, and her hopeful concerns in approaching Jesus. She had to answer the same question asked of everyone: “What do you think of Him?” You show her wondering about who He is. She then receives something of an answer in a dream, but still isn’t sure, because it is just a dream–though we know from the Bible (in other stories!) that God can speak in that way. You show the difficulties in her act of hope, which then becomes confirmed faith as she is healed. And she discovers more fully who He is by personal interaction when He calls her to reveal herself. All very wonder-full!

    Reply
  3. Brian A. Yapko

    Rohini, I adore this dramatic monologue with its biblical theme and its beating human heart. Poetry such as this presented in the first-person shows the great potential of dramatic monologues in allowing the poet to share a moving experience with the reader. You’ve deepened the biblical narrative and made it relatable. Very well done!

    Reply
  4. Rohini

    Thanks so much, Brian, Margaret, Roy. The best way to enjoy my evening tea reading these comments. It’s one of those poems that came to me and insisted I write it. I shared it with a few friends (mostly women) who felt as though the poem was written for them.
    Thanks so much!

    Reply
  7. Gigi Ryan

    Dear Rohini,
    You have done a beautiful job of telling us what could have been the inner struggle of the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. My favorite part is when she sees the kindness in His eyes. It is so often our struggle even now as we reach out to Him. And instead of rebuke we, too, find love.
    Gigi

    Reply
  8. Daniel Tuton

    Rohini, beautifully written! The juxtaposition of the fear that issues from inflexible legalism with the freedom that radiates from mercy, was especially effective told from the point of view of the bleeding woman. The story acts as a parable, and you captured its essence well.

    Reply
    • Rohini

      I felt that she must have had that inner struggle; I assumed that she was a Jew (although that isn’t clear) and so would have baulked at bowing down to a mortal. Thank you for your kind words.

      Reply
  9. Susan Jarvis Bryant

    Rohini, you manage to bring this Bible story to life with your heartfelt poetic portrayal. I can feel the internal struggle – that battle between faith and fear is tangible and relatable. Very well done, indeed!

    Reply
    • Rohini

      Thank you, Susan! I’m always touched by your insightful comments. Also, isn’t that visual just perfect?

      Reply
  10. Shamik Banerjee

    This is such a powerful, musical rendition of one of the most impactful biblical events that not only reinstills hope but also encapsulates the core of Jesus’ teachings. Well done, Rohini!

    Reply

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