"The Laurel Tree" is rooted in the world of mythology, for it reflects the legend of Daphne and Apollo. As the story goes, Cupid, in a fit of spite, shot Apollo with an arrow that rouses love, then shot Daphne with an arrow that vanquishes love. Upon seeing Daphne, Apollo fell passionately in love. When he approached her, Daphne fled in terror, and Apollo chased after her. Just as she was about to be caught by Apollo, Daphne cried for help to her father, the river-god Peneus. She begged him to change her, to destroy her beauty, so that Apollo would no longer persue her. And so, Peneus turned her into a radiant laurel tree. "The Laurel Tree" looks at the legend of Daphne in psychological terms. In an essay titled "Schizophrenia - the Inward Journey", Joseph Campbell refers to the image of Daphne turning into a laurel tree as the image of a psychosis, and shows that the imagery of the mythological hero journey matches that of schizophrenic fantasy. The movement titles and the structure of the piece are influenced by Campbell's writings on mythology, particularly his universal formula of the hero's journey. The first movement is based on the legend as described above, up to the moment Daphne is turned into a laurel tree. The second movement explores Daphne's inward retreat, deep into her psyche and backward in time, toward chaotic and terrifying experiences, to recover something missed or lost. The third movement tracks Daphne's return journey of rebirth to life, in harmony, at peace, richer, stronger, and more joyous.

I. Separation: The World Splitting in Two
II. Initiation: The Deep Inner Sea
III. Return: The Wounded Healers