Skip to content

For answers to frequently asked questions, please visit this page.

Ploughshares
Account Sign In
  • ReadExpand
    • By GenreExpand
      • Fiction
      • Nonfiction
      • Poetry
      • Longform
    • By DecadeExpand
      • 2020s
      • 2010s
      • 2000s
      • 1990s
      • 1980s
      • 1970s
    • Anthologies
    • Solos
  • SubmitExpand
    • Journal
    • Emerging Writer’s ContestExpand
      • Winners
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Donate
  • BlogExpand
    • EssaysExpand
      • Critical Essays
      • Personal Essays
      • Longform
    • Book Reviews
    • Interviews
    • ContributeExpand
      • Submitting Books for Review
  • AboutExpand
    • Staff
    • Authors
    • Previous Guest Editors
    • Honors
    • AwardsExpand
      • Alice Hoffman Prize for Fiction
      • Ashley Leigh Bourne Prize for Fiction
      • John C. Zacharis First Book Award
Ploughshares
Home / The Past

The Past

by Maria Flook
Issue #36
Spring 1985
They were laying tar on the streets today and tar on the roofs. Then the night, the unsightly stars like the pocked face of somebody, and the face must be forgiven. I sat down on the stones that are finished...

Purchase an archive subscription to see the rest of this article.
A journal cover: drawing of a deer jumping behind a house with a city in the background

Spring 1985

$6.99

$6.9900

Guest Editor

Thomas LuxA black and white image of a white man laughing
Emerson College logo that links to emerson.edu

Ploughshares is published by Emerson College in Boston.

Help

  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use

Business

  • Advertise
  • Bookstores and Libraries
  • Classroom Copies
  • Reprint Rights

Engage

  • Intern
  • Volunteer
  • Donate
Mass Cultural Council logo
Council of Literary Magazines and Presses logo

Ploughshares is a proud member of the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses.

Facebook Pinterest Twitter Instagram

© 2025 Ploughshares

Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement

Review Cart

No products in the cart.

  • Read
    • By Genre
      • Fiction
      • Nonfiction
      • Poetry
      • Longform
    • By Decade
      • 2020s
      • 2010s
      • 2000s
      • 1990s
      • 1980s
      • 1970s
    • Anthologies
    • Solos
  • Submit
    • Journal
    • Emerging Writer’s Contest
      • Winners
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Donate
  • Blog
    • Essays
      • Critical Essays
      • Personal Essays
      • Longform
    • Book Reviews
    • Interviews
    • Contribute
      • Submitting Books for Review
  • About
    • Staff
    • Authors
    • Previous Guest Editors
    • Honors
    • Awards
      • Alice Hoffman Prize for Fiction
      • Ashley Leigh Bourne Prize for Fiction
      • John C. Zacharis First Book Award
Log In Account
Search