Although I was sexually abused many times throughout my childhood beginning as a toddler, the “event” described in this poem has “branded” a great deal of my life—particularly my relationships and sexuality. This poem, to me, captures the essence of the spiritual trauma of the assault. Although it discusses being branded with the specific memories of the assault, it also has a second meaning. My ex-husband once told me, “Men look at you and can tell you like to —-!” To him it was a compliment. To me, it was the evidence that I was, in fact, branded and my brand is the reason that I have been sexually abused, assaulted, and exploited throughout my entire life. A brand is permanent. I struggle every day, still, to remove my brand.