Take it a little at a time.
Paintings and poems are moments.
That's certainly true of a painting isn't it? Take Mona Lisa which is probably one of the most famous of a work of art capturing a moment. Much has been written about her smile. Just for an instant, something struck her as amusing and long after her death, we wonder what it was.
Capturing or seducing us
We are brought into the painter's world, especially if the painting is at all interesting or unusual, or somehow engaging. The moment we stop and look at it, it has either captured our attention or completely seduced us.
when we are so vulnerable
When we stop in front of a painting, we are already prepared to have our emotions invaded. That's why we go to art gallerys or read poetry. We are expecting whatever our reaction is. We want it to happen. We need that trigger that brings our emotions to the surface.