Blood is pumped from our hearts out and around the network of vessels that stretch for thousands of miles. Our blood flows, courses, from the chambers of the heart – the innermost rooms, private interior, secret portion. Perhaps, though, it makes more sense to think of our blood walking through our bodies across those thousands of miles. Blood is pumped from the heart around the body at a speed of between three and four miles per hour. The average person walks at the same pace. Blood and feet synchronized as we walk streets, paths, trails, first steps to last.

In Pacemaker, acclaimed poet David Toms confronts what it means to live life while always walking in tandem with a rare heart condition.