Zakrutkin expressed his amazement at Yesenin’s ability to “convey the characteristics of domestic animals, birds, and humans in a way that connected them to the universe: ‘the calving sky licks a red calf’, ‘the twilight waves its snow-white hand to greet me from beyond the mound’, ‘when the dawn is on the roof, like a kitten, it washes its mouth with its paw’, ‘the curly lamb is the moon’, and ‘clouds neighing from a foal like a hundred mares’. Yesenin’s language reminds me of the sweet wild grasses of our Russian meadows.“

Vitaly Zakrutkin and his brother Rostislav were captivated by Yesenin’s poetry from a young age. In their youth, they competed with each other to imitate their favorite poet, writing their own verses inspired by Yesenin’s works. Zakrutkin would save every penny he could beg from his parents to purchase and copy down as much of Yesenin’s poetry as possible, which he felt “left an everlasting impression” on his soul.

Every guest to the Zakrutkin household heard the poems of Sergey Yesenin being recited. Today, they continue to echo in the halls of the writer’s memorial house-museum during guided tours and literary evenings, as well as at gatherings in the living room and concerts organized by the museum staff. Visitors to the Zakrutkin home can also view other exhibits related to the great Russian poet, including books by Yuri Prokushev that feature dedications to Zakrutkin.