Artistic merit?

Took this with a 18-55 f3.5 Canon Kit lens with my old XTi, years ago.  Now, notwithstanding the nuances of exposure, focus, bokeh, etc., I keep coming back to it...over and over again, it's become my favorite photograph and I don't know why... Would appreciate your comments if you think it may have some artistic merit...

http://roberre.zenfolio.com/p133302031/h3F7D414B#h3f7d414b

Thanks...