"If I do a poetry reading I want people to walk out and say they feel better for having been there - not because you've done a comedy performance but because you're talking about your father dying or having young children, things that touch your soul"

Roger McGough articulates a vision for poetry that transcends mere entertainment or surface-level amusement. Rather than aiming to elicit laughter as a stand-up comedian would, he highlights the profound potential of poetry to comfort, heal, and connect individuals on a deep emotional level. He desires his audience to leave uplifted not through jokes or lighthearted banter but through the shared experience of vulnerability and authenticity. Topics such as the death of a parent or the joys and burdens of raising young children are neither easy nor trivial; they're milestones and challenges that shape the human soul. By exploring these universal experiences, poetry becomes a conduit through which individuals confront grief, love, nostalgia, and hope.

McGough’s approach suggests that poetry readings serve as communal spaces where people are reminded of their shared humanity. When a poet discusses losing a father, for example, listeners may revisit their own memories, tears, or regrets. When hearing about the innocence and chaos of childhood, parents might find solace and humor amidst their own struggles. Such connections foster empathy, validating each person’s emotional journey through the recognition that pain and joy are part of a collective story.

The transformative power of art lies in its ability to touch the soul, to stir something within that perhaps lay dormant or wounded. People need opportunities to feel, reflect, and ultimately heal through artistic expression. McGough’s philosophy emphasizes that poetry must be honest and resonant, not shying away from life’s darkness and light. The poet’s job is not only to observe but to share, to invite the audience into a sacred space where real life is acknowledged and honored. When people leave a reading feeling “better for having been there,” it is because their souls have been acknowledged and their stories reflected, fostering a deeper sense of connection and wellbeing.