Thibault Jacquot-Paratte’s two poems


A nightmare, they


I had a nightmare, they

made airplane toilets

pay-toilets, a little

coin-slot over the 

tiny handle.


I had a nightmare, I

wrote this poem and

gave them the idea.


I had a nightmare, I

did not have to express 

my fears for them 

to become reality

I had a nightmare, they 

made an effort

to think them up

for me.


I had a nightmare no one

could longer “be”

no questions asked


I had a nightmare everyone

was making life harder

on purpose, competing 

who could make it worse

Beautiful shadow


She was the most beautiful shadow

I'd ever contemplate

speaking with 

a shadow

states nothing

answers less 

she sat in the sun

hanging her head desperately 

for the dial to turn


Thibault Jacquot-Paratte has published poetry, short fiction, novels, plays, non-fiction, with a few books to his name, occasionally sidelining as an actor, musician or translator. He has previously worked as journalist, radio host and coordinator, stage director, hotel worker, cleaner, teacher, proofreader… He holds a Master’s from the Sorbonne, has studied in Norway, Finland, Denmark and Cameroon. He has been published in journals such as Filling Station, Ancrages, The Taj Mahal Review… His novel Awoken before the evening should came out with Cyberwit Press in June 2025, and his poetry chapbook Antéaurore was published by Basic Bruegel Editions in March 2026.

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