Early Voting, with Squirrel Remains

On the way back from the voting booths,
we see it on the sidewalk: dark and 
stiff, mahogany as a branch left too long 
in the fire except for a visible shin 
bone and a row of teeth jutting out 
from the pointy area in what used to be 
its face. Was it perhaps struck by lightning 
or a charge of electricity as it ran 
across a length of wire? Whatever it was
charred off all its fur and left only skin, 
taut and dry like jerky. Whatever it was 
must have been quick: no time for heart,
nerves or brain to signal distress. 
Shock and stun, instant paralysis.