A lantern rises from the mouth of a burlap sack, casting warm light across the smile of a man dressed as a scarecrow. Straw slips from his patched cuffs and the brim of his battered hat. The sack remains packed with wool mittens, wrapped apples and a small toy trumpet, its rough weave catching the amber glow. Three children in cat, pumpkin and star costumes lean toward the next surprise.

Behind them, their neighbours share the laughter in winter coats and scarves. Carved pumpkins line the brick steps, and black iron railings frame the little gathering. Fire escapes climb the tenement wall toward bare branches overhead, while a row of streetlamps carries the eye into the blue night. Paper bats hang across the street beneath the bare branches. The close viewpoint gives the gifts and outstretched hands an immediate presence, with enough of the surrounding street visible to place this generous moment within a whole neighbourhood celebrating Halloween.