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The Fusion of Faith and Nature
In Foundation Under My Feet, you share with readers your journey through life’s challenges and your own exploration of the Christian faith. Why was this an important collection for you to share?
This collection was important for me to share with readers because I wanted the reader to seek their journey of faith and to unlock the deep realization of its tremendous value. As a follower of Christ, the more I delve into what that means through nature, writing, prayer, theology, and worship, the more I comprehend its intrinsic value to the heart, mind, and soul. I have also found that there is a gap in published works of poetry regarding a more subtle emphasis on faith, specifically Christianity. Of course, there are a lot of wonderful published works regarding faith, but I wanted to create a book that touched on those themes without being overly grandiose about it. I love the fusion of faith and nature, and that many people connect faith to nature on a soul level.
How do you know when a poem is truly finished?
It is difficult to know when a poem is truly finished. You sift through each word, each stanza with a fine-toothed comb, playing with punctuation, meaning, and flow. One day you’re pleased, the next day you re-read your poem and add adjustments you did not consider before. I have found that once I have completed this process multiple times, it is only when I get a sense of creative peace when reading my poem that I can ultimately say it is finished.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in putting together this poetry collection?
The biggest challenge I faced in putting this poetry collection together was to force myself not to rush the process and to make sure I had a polished book that fit the vision I was after. My natural tendency is to be a “sprinter,” not a “marathon runner,” so I had to discipline myself throughout the process of writing and creating my book.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your experiences?
My goal in writing Foundation Under My Feet is to give hope and inspiration through life’s great adventures, challenges, and faith. As I was in the process of creating my next book, this one came to my mind and demanded its creation. So here I am, writing to you, the reader. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed its creation.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
Foundation Under My Feet
Foundation Under My Feet is a heartfelt collection of poetry that explores the interwoven themes of faith, self-reflection, and nature’s quiet wisdom. Henschel invites readers on a deeply personal journey divided into two sections: “An Echo in the Soul” and “A Formed Foundation.” Through her words, she reflects on life’s challenges and joys while anchoring her thoughts in Christian belief. The poems ebb between internal struggle and external awe, often using vivid outdoor imagery to ground spiritual revelations in the tangible world. Each page reads like a whispered prayer, a quiet conversation with God, or a journal scribbled on a forest trail.
Reading this book felt like opening someone’s diary and finding parts of myself inside. Henschel’s poems aren’t polished in a showy way; they’re honest, even raw. She doesn’t hide from doubt or frustration, she walks straight through them with trembling hope. I appreciated the grounded simplicity of her language. She writes about everyday things: pulling weeds, sleepless nights, cloudy mirrors. Yet in those details, she uncovers depth. There were lines that caught me off guard and stayed with me long after. At times, a few pieces feel more like diary entries than fully-formed poems, but that unfiltered honesty is also part of the charm.
There’s comfort in knowing someone else has wrestled with questions of purpose, with waiting for a “yes,” with staying hopeful when things feel still. Her reverence for the natural world mirrors my own, and I found peace in the way she linked God’s presence to forest trails, rushing streams, and moonlit skies. Some readers might wish for more variety in structure or metaphor, but for me, the steady, soulful cadence felt just right, like hiking a path that rises slowly, with soft turns and sudden clearings.
I’d recommend Foundation Under My Feet to anyone looking for quiet encouragement, especially those navigating personal or spiritual growth. If you love nature, reflective writing, and poetry with a purpose, this book will speak to you. It’s best read slowly, maybe with a cup of tea, maybe while sitting on a porch or near a creek. It gently reminds you to breathe, to believe, and to keep walking.
Pages: 75
LITERARY TITAN 