III. Setdown, Setup

As the spacecraft made its descent
into the planet's atmosphere anticipating soft landing
Nort checked his parachute,
Mort, his list, the time.

Out the door, they scanned the sky
drew hasty maps, measured shadows
and set about sorting and checking their equipment
taking periodic notes, and
awaiting
the same time the next day
found the location of the Pole Star
and traveled to the point where it shone motionless overhead.
Sunrise.  Back to back
using their instruments to aim themselves and maintain course
began their measured identical pacing.